UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
LOS  ANGELES 


GIFT  OF 

Col,   '-^len  7.  J  enks 


y€*^. 


Rock  Island  Arsenal 


War's  Greatest  Workshop 

ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL 


HISTORICAL,  TOPOGRAPHICAL  AND  ILLUSTRATIVE 


Its  proven  usefulness  and  limitless  possibilities  in  time 
of  peace  as  well  as  when  put  to  the  test 


Its  romantic  origin,  its  unimpregnable  isolation,  its  limitless  water  power,  its  gradual  development, 

its  fulfillment  of  the  prophecies  of  its  various  administrative  officers,  its 

magical  response  to  the  exigencies  of  war. 


Published  with  the  approval  of  the  War  Department  by  the 
I   Arsenal  Publishing  Co.,  of  the  Tri-Cities,  Not  Inc. 

' "  19  2  2 


K  Libiaqr 

WF 

LU 

<: 


ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

The  publishers  of  this  work  wish  to  make  grateful  acknowledgment  to  Col.  D.  M.  King,  Commandant 
at  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  to  Col.  Harry  B.  Jordan,  his  immediate  predecessor,  to  Mr.  H.  L.  Noth, 
administrative  assistant  at  the  Arsenal,  to  Mr.  John  H.  Hauberg,  author  of  the  chap- 
ter on  early  Indian  history,  and  to  others,  for  invaluable  co-operation  and 
courtesies  extended  in  connection  with  the  collection  of  data  and 
the  preparation  of  material  for  publication,  and  also  for 
the  privilege  of  reference  to  Mr.  B.  F.  Tillinghast's 
admirable  work,  "Rock  Island  Arsenal  in 
Peace  and  War",  and  to  Col.  D.  W. 
Flagler's  historical  records 
of  the  earlier  days 
of  the  Arse- 
nal. 


Maj.   Grn.   C.   C.   W  illiams,  Chiff  of  Ordna 


Foreword 


N  LAYING  the  ground  plan  for  this  story  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal, 
the  desire  has  been  to  weave  into  the  fabric  of  material  fact  some- 
thing of  the  spirit  of  romance  which  is  so  intimately  connected 
with  its  history.  So,  in  the  background  of  the  picture,  as  viewed 
through  the  long  vista  of  the  years,  will  be  seen  the  Indian  wig- 
wams of  a  \anished  people,  the  heroic  figure  of  Chief  Black  Hawk,  the 
grim  outlines  of  old  Fort  Armstrong,  on  a  strategic  point  of  the  Illinois 
shore,  and  glimpses  of  the  Mississippi  river,  dotted  with  the  war  canoes  of 
the  Sacs  and  Foxes.  It  is  true  that  these  things  relate  to  a  time  far  remote, 
but  they  belong  in  the  picture,  nevertheless. 

The  l)uilding  of  Fort  Armstrong  in  the  year  1816,  as  a  frontier  post 
of  the  United  States  army,  is  ^■ery  properly  regarded  as  the  starting  point 
in  the  History  of  Rock  Island  x^rsenal,  and  as  the  opening  of  the  four 
periods  in  which  its  story  may  be  told.  Col.  Lawrence  superintended  the 
fort's  erection,  and  he  was  retained  on  the  Island  in  command  of  the  Eighth 
U.  S.  Infantry.  This  may  be  classed  as  the  first  epoch  in  the  history  of  the 
Arsenal. 

In  the  second  period  of  Arsenal  history — that  of  development — it  made 
rapid  strides  under  Gen.  T.  J.  Rodman  and  Gen.  D.  AV.  Flagler,  embracing 
the  time  covered  by  and  immediately  sulxsequent  to  the   Civil   A\'ar. 

During  the  third  period  the  Arsenal  had  its  first  real  test  of  useful- 
ness in  the  Spanish-American  AA^ar,  A\'hen  Col.  Stanhope  E.  Blunt  was 
commandant,  and  justified  every  hope  of  its  founders.  Succeeding  Col. 
Blunt  was   Col.   Hobbs,  now   deceased. 

Then  came  America's  entrance  into  the  AVorld  AVar,  in  early  April, 
1917,  with  the  Arsenal  during  this  period  first  in  charge  of  Col.  George 
AV.  Burr,  and  then  of  Col.  Leroy  T.  Hillman.  Its  activity  during  this  time, 
which  may  be  called  the  fourth  period  in  Arsenal  development,  is  a  matter 
of  history  that  finds  no  parallel  in  the  world's  annals,  and  at  the  time  the 
publication  of  this  A\ork  was  undertaken  Rock  Island!*  Arsenal  was  the 
center  of  post-war  activities  under  Col.  Harry  B.  Jordan,  as  commandant 
of  the  Arsenal,  later  succeeded  Ijy  Col.  D.  M.  King  in  the  same  position. 

As  in  modern  journalism  it  is  the  custom  to  chronicle  at  the  head  of 
a  story  the  big  e\ent,  and  to  lead  with  it,  although  it  may  in  reality  come 
last  in  chronological  order,  so  the  publishers  of  this  volume  deem  it  proper 
to   feature    in   the   opening   chapters    the   remarkable    part    played    by    Rock 


523435 


8  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

Island  Arsenal  in  the  World  War.  In  that  struggle  this  great  military 
establishment  fully  demonstrated  to  the  nation  its  supreme  importance  in 
meeting  the   exigencies   of   armed    conflict. 

Briefly,  then,  this  may  be  said  to  be  the  outline  of  the  manner  in  which 
the  history  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal  is  covered  in  the  story  here  presented 
to  the  public.  The  results  achieved  for  the  nation  in  the  face  of  the 
gravest  crisis  the  world  has  ever  seen  are  in  themselves  the  best  arguments 
for  the  continued  support  by  congress  of  this  great  military  plant.  The 
matter  of  location  alone  gives  the  Arsenal  that  pre-eminence  which  was 
recognized  by  General  Ramsey,  United  States  Chief  of  (  )rdnance.  in  1864. 
when  in  his  report  to  the  War  Department  he  said: 

"After  a  careful  study  of  the  question  of  location,  there  is  no  position 
which,  to  my  mind,  afifords  so  many  advantages,  and  at  the  same  time  pre- 
sents so  few  objections,  as  Rock  Island,   in  the   Mississippi   river." 

For  many  years  its  possibilities  had  been  recognized  by  a  few  who 
foresaw  the  part  that  location,  manufacturing  resources,  distributive  facil- 
ities, and  other  factors  might  be  made  to  play  in  a  great  national  emergency. 
Only  the  stress  of  actual  war.  however,  could  bring  it  the  general  recog- 
nition that  it  always  had  deserved.  When  the  gate  of  circumstance  opened 
it  was  revealed  as  the  key  to  the  military  strength  of  the  United  States, 
and  its  rapid  development  was  promptly  provided  for.  Not  only  was  the 
manufacturing  plant  greatly  exi)anded,  but  storage  facilities  were  mul- 
tiplied many  times  over,  so  that  now,  in  time  of  peace,  it  is  enabled  to 
shelter  complete  equipment,  immediately  a\ailable.  for  an  army  greater 
than  was  even  thought  of  before  the   \\  orld    War. 

Besides  being  always  ready  to  resume  manufacture  of  war  material 
at  full  capacity  within  a  few  weeks,  this  Arsenal  is  supplied  with  standard- 
ized tools  and  patterns  designed  to  quickly  transform  many  privately-owned 
industrial  plants  from  a  peace  to  a  war  basis,  'i'lnis  the  foresight  of  the 
founders  has  been  fully  vindicated. 

And  so,  in  the  telling  of  this  story,  the  last  shall  be  i)laced  hrst.  gi\  ing 
priority  to  that  which  transcends  all  that  has  gone  before.  The  European 
struggle  supplied  the  acid  test  of  the  great  Arsenal  established  by  the 
United  States  on  the  Mississippi  river  at  Rock  Island.  Illinois,  and  opposite 
the  city  of  Davenport.  Iowa,  in  1862.  and  therefore  deserves  first  consider- 
ation  in   this    volume. 

Indicative  of  and  bearing  out  the  importance  of  this  mid-western  military 
establishment,  the  official  records  show  that  from  the  day  the  United  States 
entered  the  World  War,  on  April  7,  1917,  until  the  Armistice  was  signed, 
on  November  11,  1918,  the  government  authorized  the  expenditure  at  Rock 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  9 

Island  Arsenal  of  $108,955,974.07.  Of  this  amount,  due  to  the  cessation  of 
hostilities,  $19,612,133.48  was  revoked,  leaving  an  actual  expenditure  of 
$89,343,840.59  by  the  Arsenal  during  the  period  of  the  war.  In  the  total 
expended  in  this  period,  $66,526,540.31  was  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of 
war  materials  and  purchases  for  this  purpose,  this  item  also  including  $17,- 
120,515.51  for  labor;  increased  facilities,  new  machinery,  alterations  and 
new  buildings,  $17,341,487.69;  storage,  temporary  barracks,  guard  houses, 
and  other  incidental  buildings,  $3,915,812.59;  and  Savanna,  Illinois,  proving 
grounds,  $1,560,000.00. 

With  the  problem  of  reducing  armament  receiving  the  earnest  consid- 
eration of  the  nations,  and  indications  pointing  to  the  ultimate  adoption 
of  a  policy  of  material  retrenchment  in  military  expenditures,  the  question 
naturally  arises  as  to  the  probable  effect  upon  future  activities  at  Rock 
Island   Arsenal. 


Main  entrance  gate   at  west  end  of  Islantl. 


10 


ROCK       ISLAND       A  R  S   E   N  A  L 


ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL 


11 


Location  and  Advantages 


(^^^lOCK  ISLAND  ARSKNAL  occupies  an  island  in  the  Mississippi 
^np  river  lying  on  the  Illinois  side  of  the  channel  between  Rock  Island 
-  ^  and  Moline,  111.,  and  Davenport,  Iowa.  The  tract  comprises  896.62 
^-^  acres  of  almost  level  land,  all  but  a  small  part  lying  well  above  high 
'^-' ''^'^ ',  water  mark.  The  name  was  derived  from  the  island's  bed  of  lime- 
stone, into  which  the  stream  has  cut  on  all  sides,  leaving  projecting  ledges 
exposed  to  view.  This  stone  not  only  adds  a  picturesque  effect,  but  lying 
near  the  surface,  it  furnishes  an  ideal  foundation  for  the  heavy  construction 
required  in  an  institution  of  this  kind.  The  natural  beauty  of  the  spot  has 
been  commented  upon  from  the  days  of  the  earliest  white  settlers.  It  is 
exceeded  at  but  few  points  in  the  middle  west. 

Being  located  on  an  island  used  almost  exclusively  for  its  purposes  and 
all  owned  and  controlled  by  the  War  Department,  the  Arsenal  is  set  apart 
by  nature  from  the  surrounding  c(»mmunity  and  is  easily  guarded  and 
singularly  free  of  danger  from  maciiinations  of  enemy  agents  in  time 
of  war.  Its  central  location  is  of  the  utmost  strategic  value,  since  it  is 
practically  inaccessible  to  an  outside  enemy  from  any  possible  point  of 
invasion,  and  it  is  in  position  to  forward  military  supplies  with  equal 
facility  to  all  national  frontiers,  east,  west,  north,  south.  Its  transporta- 
tion resources  include  three  great  railroad  systems  that  spread  a  network 
over  the  middle  section  of  the  country,  with  through  service  to  the  Pacific 
and  direct  connections  to  the  Atlantic  and  (lulf  coasts.  These  systems 
have  several  local  branches  and  there  arc.  in  addition,  lines  tapping  two 
other  trans-continental  systems  crossing  tlic  ri\er  within  a  radius  of  50 
miles. 

Water  transportation  facilities  are  e.xccptional.  including  the  great 
Mississippi  and  its  navigable  branches,  giving  access  to  the  (lulf  of 
Mexico  and  much  of  the  interior  of  the  country,  and  canal  connections, 
about  to  be  much  inijjroved,  oi)ening  the  way  to  the  (ireat  Lakes  and  thence 
out  to  the  sea. 

Location  of  the  Arsenal,  in  short,  is  such  that  ni.mufacturing  may  be 
conducted  and  war  equi])ment  stored  with  a  mininnnn  risk,  while,  when 
need  arises,  supplies  may  be  distributed  to  all  parts  of  the  country  with  a 
maximum  of  efTiciency  and  speed. 

The  Arsenal  is  practically  a  complete  unit  in  meeting  the  nation's 
military  needs.  Its  storehouses  contain  everything,  with  a  few  exceptions, 
that   the    soldier   uses    in   modern    warfare,   and    its    shops    make    the   vast 


ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL  13 

majority  of  the  articles  included.  At  no  other  place  in  the  country  is  the 
variety  of  production  so  broad  and  the  output  so  extensive,  when  in  full 
operation. 

As  far  as  it  is  practicable  to  make  it.  the  Arsenal  is  independent  of 
the  civil  community  surrounding  it.  It  has  its  own  water  power  plant, 
which  is  sufticient  for  ordinary  needs.  In  an  emergency  it  can  buy  power 
in  any  quantity.  There  is  also  boiler  capacity  on  the  island  sufficient  to 
meet  present  requirements,  and  wanting  only  installation  of  engines  and 
electrical  equipment.  Development  of  the  water  power  has  been  largely 
incidental  with  the  government  project  for  the  improving  of  the  Rock  Island 
rapids  for  purposes  of  navigation.  The  hydro-electric  plant  has  a  rated 
capacity  of  4,400  horse-power,  while  the  eight  steam  boilers  are  capable 
of  developing  4,000  horse-power.  The  Arsenal  has  its  own  water  and  sewer 
systems  and  a  complete  and  modern  fire  fighting  equipment,  manned  by 
experts.  Shipping  facilities  include  no  less  than  15.6  miles  of  railroad 
track,  covering  the  shop  and  storehouse  districts  and  giving  means  of 
quick  and  economical  handling  of  all  materials.  There  are  23  miles  of 
of  wagon  roads.  9.4  miles  of  which  are  permanently  improved.  There  are 
quarters  for  the  housing  of  officers  and  enlisted  men,  a  hospital,  cafeteria 
and  buildings  for  recreation  and  welfare  work  among  both  service  men  and 
civil  employes. 

Facilities  for  testing  field  equipment  made  and  assembled  at  Rock 
Island  Arsenal  were  made  complete  by  the  purchase  and  improvement  of 
an  extensive  tract  for  proving  grounds.  These  lie  near  Savanna,  111.,  60 
miles  north.  The  project  was  begun  in  1917,  and  includes  large  storehouses, 
erected  since  the  World  War,  and  used  for  housing  vast  quantities  of 
the  heavier  kinds  of  war  material. 

Rock  Island,  Illinois,  is  the  Arsenal  postoffice,  and  express,  freight  and 
telephone   business    is   also   handled    through    that    city. 

Valuations  placed  upon  the  Arsenal,  its  equipment,  and  material  stored 
there  run  into  large  figures.  Here  are  the  latest  estimates  under  the  head- 
ings given : 

Permanent   buildings   $  18,005,730.00 

Temporary    buildings    304,795.00 

Machinery  and  equipment 19,627,709.00 

Railroad  trackage   (including  bridges)   3,571.500.00 

Roads  and  walks    (including  bridges   other   than 

•  railroad)    300,000.00 

Grounds  (including  all  fences  and  improvements)       4,0(X),000.00 

Sewer  and  water  distributing  system  1.301,600.00 

Light,  heat  and  power  distributing  system 1.457,(X)0.00 

Military  stores     299^235, 384.00 

Stored  raw  material  11,485,132.(X) 

Total $359,288,850.00 


Record  During  the  World  War 


O  adeiiualc  idea  df  what  Unck  Island  Arsenal  aceomplislicd  during 
the  World  War  can  he  i^ained  trcni  mere  statistics.  Neither  can 
the  record  of  any  one  department,  nor,  indeed,  of  several  depart- 
ments, be  taken  as  indicati\e  of  the  extent  of  the  aid  s:iven  the 
ii^overnment  ni  its  military  effort.  To  start  with,  the  new  methods 
of  tight mg  and  the  vastly  increased  scope  of  activities  involved — all  com- 
ing with  such  sur])rising  suddenness — found  the  Arsenal,  like  the  rest  of 
ihe  country,  laboring  under  the  handicap  of  unpreparedness.  New  ma- 
chinery and  to(ds,  new  manufacturing  specifications,  were  required,  and 
new  buildings  were  needed  to  meet  the  necessity  of  immediate  expansion. 
Under  the  fearful  pressure  of  a  great  emergency  activities  were  begun 
or  speeded  up  in  a  m^'riad  of  directions.  \\'ith  all  jiossible  haste  the 
force  of  workers  was  increased,  ultimately  reaching  ten  times  the  number 


BiiUlinf;    rl.-Htru.li.,n    in    llir    (,,riM    ..f    „,allrii    Irinilr luol.    wlii.li    i~    lu-ln^r    |..,ii,.-.l    iiil..    Ii.nul/.r    -li.-ll-. 

em])loyed  normally  before  the  war.  Leaders  were  selected  from  among 
the  experienced  and  skillecl  artisans  already  engaged  in  Arsenal  ])r.  iduction, 
and   thus  was   created   the   nucleus   of   the  augmented   organization. 

Supplies  already  un  hand  and  constantly  being  received  from  \arious 
sources  were  distributed,  experimental  work  conducted,  standardized  tools 
made  and  forwarded  to  ])rivate  manufacturers  to  enable  them  to  turn  out 
war  material,  schools  of  instruction  for  workers  in  pri\rite  factories  and 
also  for  soldiers  untaught  in  the  use  of  modern  weapons  were  organized, 
contracts  let  for  a  vast  expansion  of  luanufacturing  and  storage  facilities 
at  the  Arsenal  and  a  great  deal  of  other  work  undertaken  with  the  least 
possible  delay. 


ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL 


15 


Obviously,  it  was  impossible  for  maximum  shop  production  to  be 
attained  at  once  in  all  lines  of  work,  and  so  the  total  output  during  the 
war  of  some  varieties  of  finished  work  may  seem  small.  That,  however, 
is  of  minor  importance.  The  significant  fact  is  that  the  Arsenal  was  the 
key  to  a  great  part  of  the  military  production  of  the  country,  organizing 
and  directing  it  and  supplying  its  standards.  Deprived  of  its  aid,  the 
country  would  have  required  much  more  time  than  it  took  to  get  on  a 
war-producing  basis.  As  a  result  of  what  was  done  during  and  immedi- 
ately after  the  war,  the  Arsenal  is  relatively  much  better  fitted  than  ever  to 
cope  with  any  similar  situation  that  may  develop  in  the  future. 

In  the  absence  of  anything  more  impressive  to  show  how  production 
was  accelerated,  it  is  necessary  to  resort  to  figures  relating  to  expendi- 
tures  and   number  of   employes. 

Analysis  shows  that  during  the  period  from  August,  1914.  when  the 
European  nations  began  fighting,  until  xA-pril,  1917,  when  the  United  States 


III 


*^    ^ 


> 


isrnini 


t    *    »    » 


iti-adv   to  be  issue<l   to  the 


entered  the  struggle,  the  total  expenditures  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  was 
$11,759,935.90,  of  which  purchases  amounted  to  $7,115,849.53  and  labor 
$4,644,086.37.  The  aAcrage  monthly  expenditure  during  this  period  was 
$222,370.29  for  purchases  and  $145,127.69  for  labor,  or  a  total  average 
expenditure  for  each  of  the  thirty-two  months  preceding  the  entry  of  the 
United  States  into  the  war  of  $347,497.98. 

But  in  striking  contrast  to  these  amounts  are  the  figures  for  the  period 
this  country  was  in  the  war.  The  total  amount  then  expended  for  purchases 
and  labor  was  $58,587,390.18,  and  this  was  divided  thus:  Purchases,  $42,- 
466,874.67;  labor,  $17,120,515.51.  The  average  expenditure  per  month  was 
$3,077,861.05,    and    of    this    average    $2,193,536.91    was    for    purchases    and 


16  ROCK       I   S   L  A   X   D       A   R  S    li   X  A   L 

$884,324.14  for  labor.  It  must  be  understood,  however,  that  these  figures  are 
for  the  manufacturing  de])artment  of  the  Arsenal,  and  do  not  include  the 
huge  sums  expended  for  labor  and  material  by  the  construction  companies 
at  work  there. 

For  some  time  prior  to  the  outbreak  of  the  World  \\'ar  in  1914,  the 
employees  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  totaled  approximately  1800  men  and 
175  women,  the  latter  all  office  workers,  typists  and  stenographers.  From 
that  time  until  the  spring  of  1916  there  was  little  tendency  to  increase 
the  number  of  workers,  but  the  disturbance  on  the  Mexican  border  started 
increased  activities  at  the  Arsenal,  and  by  July  1.  1916.  there  had  been 
added  to  the  force  about  100  men  and  25  women,  the  latter  still  being 
confined  to  clerical  positions.  From  then  until  the  United  States  entered 
the  war,  employees  were  added  at  the  rate  of  about  200  per  month,  and 
on  April  6.  1917.  there  were  employed  3.600  men  with  300  women  office 
workers. 

High  speed  and  maximum  production  then  became  the  watchword, 
and  employees  were  added  at  a  rate  close  to  250  or  300  each  month.  On 
December  31.  1917.  the  total  was  6.100  men.  and  375  women  office  workers; 
and  on  May  31.  1918.  this  total  was  increased  to  8.926  men.  and  450  women 
office  workers.  As  a  new  departure.  al)out  100  women  shop  workers  had 
also  been  employed.  The  first  of  these  were  taken  on  May  20,  1918,  and 
when  the  Armistice  was  signed  somewhere  near  1,500  women  were  em- 
ployed in  the  shops. 

The  following  table  shows  the  increase  in  the  number  of  employees 
during  the   war   period : 

Men     Wdnien 

August.  1914 1.800     175 

July,  1916  1,900     200 

April,  1917  3,600     300 

January,  1918  6.100     376 

May,  1918  8.926     450 

July,  1918  10.268  572 

August,    1918    11.244  722 

September.   1918  11.899  902 

October,  1918  12.342  1.227 

November.  1918  13,361  1.417 

Succeeding  chapters  deal  in  order  with  the  detailed  record  of  pro- 
duction during  the  war,  the  construction  jirogram  made  necessary  by  the 
war's  demand,  manner  in  which  workers  were  found  and  trained,  the 
military  personnel  and  means  taken  to  guard  the  Arsenal. 

AMERICAX  ARTILLERY  THK  MOST  EFFECTI\'E 
IN  THE  WORLD 

Artillery  developed  by  the  United  States  Army  Ordnance  Corps,  like 
the  small  arm.  has  no  equal  in  range  and  effectiveness.    This  was  true  during 


ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL 


17 


the  World  War,  and  it  is  true  today.  Comparisons  that  may  be  readily  com- 
prehended are  presented  in  the  accompanying  diagrams.  Range  of  guns  of 
American,  French  and  German  make  used  during  the  war,  and  approximately 
equal  in  bore  and  weight  of  projectile,  are  shown  in  light,  medium  and 
howitzer  types.  Development  of  the  American  gun  as  represented  in  the 
1920  4.7  model  over  the  1906  model,  Avhich  was  the  best  we  had  during  the 
war,  is  also  indicated.  Carriages  and  other  ecjuipment  for  all  the  American 
guns  included  are  made  and  assembled  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal. 


COMPARISON  OF  LIGHT  FIELD  ARTILLERY 

Weight  of  projectile — U.  S.  gun,  15  pounds;  French  gun,  12.2  pounds; 
German  gun,  14.96  pounds. 

Tsnn.  GUN     li  _ 
— -=-^. 


COMPARISON  OF  MEDIUM  FIELD  ARTILLERY 

Weight  of  projectile — U.  S.  gun,  95  pounds;   French  gun,  95  pounds; 
German  gun,  86.9  pounds. 


COMPARISON  OF  MEDIUM  HOWITZERS 

Weight  of  projectile — U.  S.  gun,  95  pounds;   French  gun,  95  pounds 
German  gun,  86.9  pounds. 


18 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R  S   K  N  A   L 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  UNITED  STATES  FIELD  GUN 

W'cij^ht  of  projectile — U.  S.  model   1906.  45  iioiinds;  U.  S.  model   1920, 
50  pounds ;  German  gun.  36  pounds. 


/  1  1    ^.-«  -^^^^ 


'B 1 1  n 


jiiiiiiilli 


1 »   m- 


Storehouse  W-l    above,   an<l  group  of  original  shops  below,   rontrasling  new  and  ol<l   types  of  ronstruition. 


Main  Items  of  Production 


RINCIPAL  articles  manufactured  at  the  Arsenal  during  the  war 
were  artillery  vehicles,  recoil  cylinders,  artillery  wheels,  spoke 
shoes  and  spoke  shoe  plates,  artillery  harness,  arm  repair  chests, 
rifles,  loaded  shells  and  personal  equipment  items,  in  addition  to 
test  tool  sets  furnished  to  other  manufacturing;  firms  throug-hout  the 


country. 

The  harness  manufacturing  department  was  the  greatest  and  most 
completely  equipped  in  the  world.  Up  to  August  1,  1918,  all  the  artillery 
harness  supplied  to  the  United  States  forces  was  manufactured  here. 
Between  April  6,  1917,  and  November  15,  1918,  24,212  sets  of  artillery  harness 
were  manufactured  and  74,207  sets  were  assembled.  In  1920  the  harness 
department  was  taken  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Ordnance  Department  and 
placed  in  charge  of  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  making  necessary  its 
removal  from  this  Arsenal.  It  was  transferred  to  the  depot  at  JeiTersonville, 
Indiana.  \Mth  the  coming  of  motorized  artillery  and  transport,  use  of  har- 
ness and  saddles  has  come  to  ])lay  a  relatively  unimportant  part  in  army 
equipment. 

Manufacturing  of  rifles  was  one  of  the  principal  industries  at  the 
Arsenal.  During  practically  the  entire  period  in  which  this  country  was 
involved  in  hostilities  3,500  men  and  women  were  employed  in  the  small 
arms  plant.  In  that  time  there  were  manufactured  or  furnished  as  repair 
parts  an  equivalent  of  approximately  113,670  rifles,  model  of  1903.  High 
water  mark  was  reached  in  (Jctober,  1918,  when  parts  sufticient  to  make 
30,455  complete  arms  were  made. 

In  round  numbers,  790,000  complete  sets  of  personal  equipment  for 
the  soldier  were  produced  during  the  period  of  hostilities.  The  largest 
single  item  was  bacon  cans,  1,512,190  of  them.  There  were  included  354,770 
knives,  649,457  canteen  covers,  858,344  haversacks  and  400,256  pack  carriers. 

Among  the  larger  items  of  production  in  heavier  ordnance  stores  were 
159  75mm.  gun  carriages.  Unofficial  reports  also  include  194  4.7-inch  gun 
carriages,  six  3-inch  gun  carriages  and  two  6-inch  howitzer  carriages.  Gun 
caissons  made  numbered  121  and  gun  and  forge  limbers  446.  There  were 
also  255  battery  and  store  wagons  turned  out.  This  Arsenal  furnished  to  the 
Supply  Department  and  to  various  other  manufacturing  concerns  264  4.7-inch 
recoil  cylinders,  complete.  The  supply  division  and  outside  contractors 
received  from  the  Arsenal  during  this  time  9,718  artillery  wheels,  all  of 
which  were  manufactured  here.  The  same  disposition  was  made  of  218,650 
spoke  shoe  plates,  also  produced  at  this  place. 


20 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


:^^ii|*^W 


[iiiPlBL,,.., 


i 


w 


AcrM  and  acres  ol  storehouses  are  packed  with  guns  and  carriages,   the  lighter  parts  being 
racked  up  in  tiers  several  deep. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  21 

There  were  manufactured  and  assembled  during  the  period  of  hostili- 
ties 13,241  arm  repair  chests,  and  167,195  155mm.  howitzer  shells  were  loaded, 
without  adapters  and  boosters. 

In  March,  1918,  two  75mm.  gun  carriages  were  manufactured.  The 
same  number  was  turned  out  in  April.  In  May  production  increased  to 
sixteen,  in  June  to  twenty,  with  twenty-two  in  July,  twenty-three  in  August, 
twenty-eight  in  September  and  forty-six  in  October.  The  4.7-inch  gun 
carriages  reached  maximum  production  in  September,  when  fifty-eight 
were  manufactured.  Out  of  194  which  had  been  made  at  this  Arsenal  after 
the  declaration  of  war,  183  were  turned  out  after  January.  1918. 

A  comparative  statement  of  production  at  this  Arsenal  during  the  last 
year  of  the  war  indicates  that  at  the  time  the  armistice  was  signed  the 
establishment  was  just  reaching  a  point  where  maximum  production  could 
be  attained. 

Reduced  to  figures,  the  expenditures  made  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  and 
the  work  done  during  the  war  may  l^e  summarized  as  follows: 

Appropriated  for  Arsenal $108,955,974.07 

Revoked 19.612,133.48 

Spent  at  Arsenal  during  war.... 89,343,840.59 

Purchases  and  making  war  materials..... 66,526,540.31 

Paid    to    labor _ _ 17,120,515.51 

New   buildings,  machinery,   etc... 17,341,487.69 

Spent  on  Savanna  Proving  Grounds 1,560,000.00 

Average  monthly  expenditure.. 3,077,861.05 

Numl^er  of  employees  August,  1914 1,975 

Numl)er  of  employees,  July,  1916 —       2.100 

Number  of  employees  November.   1918 14,778 

Number  of  French  75mm.  gun  carriages  made 159 

Other  gun  carriages  made..... 202 

Forge   limbers   made 446 

Battery  and  store  wagons  made 255 

4.7  recoil   cylinders   completed 264 

Artillery  wheels  made -. 9,718 

Spoke  shoes  and  spoke  shoe  plates 218,650 

Sets  artillery  harness  made 24,212 

Sets  artillery  harness  assembled 74,207 

Arm    repair     chests 13,241 

Rifles.   Model    1905.  made 113,670 

155mm.    howitzer    shells    loaded 167,195 

Bacon   cans   made 1,512,190 

Knives  made 354,770 

Canteen  covers  made 649,457 

Haversacks   made 858,344 

Pack  carriers  made.... 400,256 

Subscribed  for  bonds  and  war  charities... $4,000,000.00 

In  addition  to  the  usual  work  of  the  Arsenal  involving  the  manufacture 
and  issue  of  stores,  there  devolved  upon  it  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  new 
duties  in  connection  with  the  education  of  prospective  bidders  on  ordnance 


22 


R  ( )   C   K 


I    S    I.  A    X   1)       A   R  S    1-.   X   A   L 


materials.  The  heavy  demands  made  upon  the  government  for  equipment 
occasioned  l)y  the  rapid  mobilization  of  troops  necessitated  the  placing  with 
private  manufacturers  contracts  for  large  quantities  of  personal  and  horse 
equipments,  with  the  manufacture  of  which  the  great  majority  of  contractors 
were  unfamiliar.  At  the  time  the  first  contracts  were  placed  over  600 
persons,  representing  over  200  firms  engaged  in  various  activities,  received 
information  at  the  Arsenal  in  person  pertaining  to  ordnance  material. 
These  firms  were  furnished  over  1.000  samples  and  more  than  20.000  draw- 
ings, route  sheets,  assembly  charts,  etc.,  to  aid  them  in  the  manufacture  of 
the  equipment  called  for  under  their  contracts. 

\'arious  schools,  known  as  the  Motor  Instruction  Section.  Supply  Sec- 
tion, American  Ordnance  Base  Depot  in  France,  and  Machine  ( iun  Section, 


WALNLT  FOR  GLNST()C;KS  IN  STORAGt. 


ey  was  made  by  the  War  Department  while  hostilities  were  in  progress  to  discover   all   available   sourres   of  siipplii 
■Inut.     Seasoned   walnut  in  quantities  sufficient  to  equip  millions  of  rifles  is  now  on  hand  at  Rock   Island   Arsenal. 


were  established  at  the  Arsenal,  to  which  were  assigned  many  utihcers  and 
enlisted  men  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  instruction  in  various  duties  to 
fit  them  for  work  in  the  field  or  at  the  front.  The  number  assigned  throughout 
the  year  varied,  averaging,  approxirrately,  1,2C0  enlisted  men  and  150 
officers. 

Aside  from  the  actual   work   in  the   shops   for  the   production   of   war 
material,    employees    of    Rock    Island    Arsenal    hung    up    a    record    for   war 


ROCK       ISLAND      ARSENAL 


23 


service  that  has  not  been  surpassed  by  any  manufacturing  plant  in  the  country 
in  proportion  to  size.  After  the  declaration  of  war  they  subscribed  the 
enormous  sum  of  $4,000,000.00  to  the  various  war  charities  and  to  the  Liberty 
bond  issues.  The  bonds,  of  course,  constituted  the  principal  investment  of 
the  workers,  sales  totaling  $3,050,000.00.  The  Red  Cross  campaigns  netted 
more  than  $11,000.00,  the  Salvation  Army  $10,000.00  and  the  Allied  war 
drive  20,000.00.  The  sale  of  War  Savings  and  Thrift  Stamps,  of  which  no 
record  has  been  kept,  brings  the  total  well  over  the  four  million  mark. 


f- 


• 

n 


n 


\j^ 


Commandant's  Headquarters. 


Vast  Program  of  Construction 


%^^ 


OCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL  was  literally  transformed  by  construc- 
tion projects  undertaken  immediately  prior  to.  during,  and  just 
following  the  period  in  which  this  country  was  involved  in  the 
kr^  World  War.  One  familiar  with  the  premises  before  that  con- 
flict would  scarcely  recognize  them  after  the  work  was  completed. 
All  cunstruction  was  done  under  high  pressure,  but  most  of  it  was  of  a 
permanent  character  and  detracts  nothing  from  the  impression  of  dura- 
bility, as  well  as  of  architectural  beauty  and  practical  utility  which  the 
institution  always   has  given  the  visitor. 

Several  months  before  this  country  actually  declared  war,  congress, 
yielding  to  the  urgent  recommendations  of  the  War  Department,  provided 
for  some  minor  extensions  of  the  Arsenal  plant.  This  work  was  only  fairly 
started  when  the  country  entered  the  struggle,  and  from  that  time  until 
after  the  close  of  hostilities  the  Arsenal  grounds  were  literally  alive  with 
construction  forces  of  every  description,  and  new  structures  sprang  up 
as  if  by  magic.  Work  was  done  under  contract,  some  on  a  lump  sum  and 
some  on  a  cost  plus  basis,  with  the  exception  of  a  number  of  storehouses 
built  by  the  Arsenal  organization  after  the  close  of  hostilities  and  needed 
to  shelter  the  immense  quantity  of  war  material  returning  from  the  armies 
in  France  and  from  the  training  camps  in  this  country. 

Much  additional  shop  room  was  needed,  and.  all  told,  the  additions  to 
the  plant  amounted  to  more  than  one  and  one-half  millions  of  feet  of  floor 
space,  costing  more  than  seven  millions  of  dollars.  Chief  among  the  new 
structures  built  for  manufacturing  uses  were  the  artillery  vehicle  plant  and 
the  artillery  ammunition  assembling  ])lant.  The  former  consists  of  a  main 
erection  shop  120  .\  605  feet,  with  three  wings,  each  80x200  feet,  and  all 
four  stories  high.  The  latter  is  360x400  feet,  in  three  sections,  one  three 
stories,  one  two  and  the  other  one  story  in  height.  The  ammunition  as- 
sembling plant  cost  $2,093,000  and  the  artillery  vehicle  i)lant  $2,225,000. 
Both  are  of  reinforced  concrete  construction. 

As  output  increased,  storage  space.  l)oth  for  raw  material  and  com- 
pleted goods,  became  totally  inadequate,  and  steps  were  taken  at  once  to 
supply  the  deficiency.  All  told,  nearly  one  and  one-half  million  feet  of 
additional  floor  si)ace  were  provided  at  a  cost  of  more  than  three  millions 
of  dollars.  Chief  among  these  projects  were  thirty  ammunition  storehouses, 
each  50x200  feet,  and  costing  together  $490,000;  eight  vehicle  storage 
buildings  aggregating  452.500  feet  of  space  and  costing  $865,000.  and  what 
is  designated  as  Storage  Building  W-I.  which  is  140x540  feet,  six  stories 
high,  and  cost  $1,560,000. 


ROCK       ISLAND      ARSENAL 


25 


Of  course  much  miscellaneous  construction  was  necessary.  A  central 
steam  heating  plant  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $610,000.  The  hydro-electric 
plant  was  enlarged  and  modernized  at  a  cost  of  $748,000.  Additional  bar- 
racks, offices,  a  cafeteria,  hospital  and  other  buildings,  mostly  of  a  tempo- 
rary character,  were  provided. 

The  chronological  order  in  which  the  various  projects  were  undertaken, 
names  of  contractors  and  other  information  in  connection  with  them  are 
summarized  in  the  following: 

BUILDINGS  AND  PROJECTS  SINCE  1916 

In  the  fall  of  1916  a  high  steel  tank  for  the  water  supply  of  the  Arsenal 
Avas  started  by  the  Rock  Island  Bridge  and  Iron  Works,  but  little  was 
accomplished  before  the  next  year,  in  February,  when  work  was  resumed. 
The  tank  was  completed  November  22,  1917,  although  its  use  began  on 
September  25,  1917. 


.1  llie    lar".-st    cf    til. 


January  8,  1917,  a  lump  sum  contract  was  awarded  to  the  Heman  Con- 
struction Company,  of  St.  Louis,  for  the  erection  of  seven  nitrate  and  eight 
ammunition  storehouses.  These  have  stuccoed  tile  walls,  steel  trusses, 
slate  roofs,  concrete  floor  and  platforms  and  also  necessary  trackage.     Work 


26  ROCK       I    S   I.  A    X   D       A  R  S   E   X  A   L 

started  February  12.  1917.  and  on  February  1.  1918.  it  was  turned  over  to 
the  Stone  &  Webster  Corporation,  then  engaged  on  other  work  on  the 
Island.     This  work  was  completed  June  12.  1918. 

About  tliis  time  a  temporary  wire  fence  was  erected  around  the  Arsenal 
shops,  this  work  being  installed  by  tlie  (  )utside  Department  of  the  Arsenal. 

January  6.  1917.  a  lump  sum  contract  was  awarded  Lovell  &  Co..  of 
Minneapolis.  Minn.,  for  the  erection  of  one  vehicle  storehouse  (now  des- 
ignated as  Storehouse  "I"),  a  concrete  and  steel  construction  building. 
This  was  completed  November  23.  1917. 

April  14.  1917.  the  St.  Paul  Foundry  Co.  started  work  on  an  addition 
to  the  steel  lumber  shed,  let  under  a  lump  sum  contract  and  completed 
December  5.  1917. 

April  16,  1917.  the  Ammunition  Assembling  Plant  (Shop  "M"),  a  re- 
inforced Concrete  structure,  was  started  by  the  \\*estinghouse-Church-Kerr 
Company.  X^ew  York,  on  a  cost  i)lus  10  per  cent  basis.  This  work 
included,  also,  13  storehouses  for  explosives,  a  T.  X.  T.  loading  building, 
incinerator,  railroad  trackage  and  rt^ads.  These  l)uildings  were  partially 
occupied  on  February  9.  1918.  and  beginning  about  February  15.  1918.  a 
battalion  of  the  Tenth  U.  S.  Infantry  was  tem])orarily  quartered  in  the 
ammunition  assembling  building,  temporary  plumbing  having  been  installed 
in  the  same.  r)ther  buildings  erected  l)y  the  Westinghouse-Church-Kerr 
Company    were : 

Temporary   P>arracks  '"B" begun     9-24-17.  completed  11-27-17 

Temporary  Barracks  "C" begun  12-17-17,  completed  1-15-18 

Storehouse  "B.\" begun  10-23-17,  completed  11-30-17 

Dry  Kiln  (Wheel  Stock) begun  11-  5-17,  completed  11-30-17 

Dry  Kiln  ( Ciun  Stock) begun   12-12-17.  completed  7-  1-18 

Temporary  (iarage  and  Testing 

Labratory    .begun     2-15-17.  completed  4-  4-18 

Post  Exchange  and  Y.  M.  C.  A begun     4-  1-18.  completed  4-23-18 

This  firm  also  installed  the  plumbing  in  the  present  Shops  "B".  "D". 
and  "F".  which  was  comjjleted  August  10,  1918. 

Ma}-  9,  1917.  Henry  Kohlsaat  started  work  on  a  non-commissioned 
officers'  quarters,  of  brick  and  wo(td. 

The  building  of  the  assembling  ])lant  by  the  Westinghouse-Church- 
Kerr  Company  necessitated  the  relocation  of  the  street  car  track  by  the  Tri- 
City  Railway  Company,  started  June   12.  1917.  completed  October  31.  1917. 

Barracks  "A",  started  June  17.  1917.  was  completed  |ulv  17.  1917. 
This  work  was  done  by  Arsenal  forces.  This  building  was  later  transformed 
into  a  hospital  for  enlisted  men. 

June  21.  1917.  Stone  c^  Webster  started  building  t>perations  for  the 
Field  and  Siege   Building  (Shop  "M").  a  reinforced  concrete  structure,  on 


ROCK       ISLAND      ARSENAL 


27 


the  cost  plus  5  per  cent  basis,  and  made  a  record-breaking  time  in  progress, 
completing  the  work  August  15,  1918.  The  building  was  partially  occupied 
December  19,  1917.  This  project  includes  a  duct  line  from  the  old  tunnel 
to  building.     Other  buildings  built  by  Stone  &  Webster  are: 

B-D    Connection Started     7-  1-17,  completed  5-24-18 

G-I  Connection .....Started     9-17-17,  completed  6-  1-18 

H-K    Connection Started  10-24-17,  completed  5-24-18 

A-C    Connection ..Started   11-24-17.  completed  7-14-18 

Central    Heating   Plant ...Started     7-21-17,  completed  7-31-18 

Boilers    placed". _ Started    11-28-17,  completed  7-31-18 

All  these  l^uildings  were  fire-proof  construction,  and  the  connections 
were  all  stone  faced  to  match  the  present  Arsenal  shops.  August  15,  1917, 
the  first  nitrate  was  shipped  to  this  post,  and  this  was  unloaded  by  Stone 
&  Webster  into  an  old  storehouse,  and  later,  by  the  same  firm,  unloaded 
by  trucks  and  chutes  into  the  nitrate  storehouses  started  by  the  Hemen 
Co.  and  completed  by  Stone  &:  A\>1)ster  June  12,  1918. 


Typical  shop  inlerior,  being  the  craneway  in  the  field  and  siege  building. 


The  Stone  &  Webster  Co.  also  installed  a  new  floor  on  the  Moline 
bridge,  September  7,  1918,  to  September  22,  1918;  built  the  Plating  and 
Tinning  Shop,  of  fire-proof  construction,  starting  March  18,  1918,  com- 
pleting August  1,  1918;  Storehouse  "MA",  started  December  13,  1917, 
and  completed  April  9,   1918;   Gun-Stock  Dry   Kiln  addition,  started  June 


28  ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL 

24,  1918,  and  completed  December  3,  1918.  This  company  also  repaired 
stone  cornices,  remodelled  old  coal  shed  into  a  paint  shop,  and  did  consider- 
able plumbing  and  heating  in  all  shops  from  time  to  time. 

The  contract  for  the  erection  of  ati  Ice  Making  Plant  was  awarded 
the  Frazier  &  Davis  Co..  of  Rock  Island,  on  a  lump  sum  contract; 
started  June  17.  1917.  finished  October  4.  1917.  Tliis  company  later  in- 
stalled a  new  filtration  bed.  sedimentation  basin,  etc..  on  a  lump  sum  con- 
tract, starting  March  11.  1918.  and  finishing  August  8.  1918.  They  also 
placed  new  gas  mains  at  various  points,  starting  May  15.  1918,  completing 
August  6.  1918;  remodelled  the  front  of  the  fire  station,  starting  August  15, 
1918.  completing  October  15.  1918.  i)lacing  a  new  sidewalk  and  driveway 
in  connection  therewith. 

On  June  25,  1917.  the  Artinir  Neuman  Co..  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa, 
started  an  addition  to  Stone  Barracks  on  a  lump  sum  contract,  finishing 
May  15,  1918. 

The  Central  Engineering  Co.,  of  Davenport,  Iowa,  was  awarded  a 
contract  for  sub-structure  of  the  addition  to  the  Water  Power  Dam,  on 
a  unit  price  basis,  started  July  31,  1917.  They  were  later  awarded  a  super- 
structure of  brick  and  steel  construction  on  a  lump  sum  basis,  started 
August  5.  1918,  completed  December  2,  1918.  They  later  contracted  for 
taking  out  the  old  cofiferdam  and  old  dam. 

On  February  18,  1918.  the  Walsh  Construction  Company,  of  Davenport, 
Towa,   started   on   several    projects   under   a   cost   plus   7   per   cent   contract: 

Office   Building  No.  2 Started  4-18-18.  finished  5-15-18 

Bakery   Started  4-22-18.  finished  5-20-18 

Civilian  Hospital Started  4-23-18,  finished  6-15-18 

A\'ard  and  Isolation  Hospital Started  4-23-18.  finished  6-15-18 

Remodelled  Barracks  "B" Started  5-17-17.  finished  6-24-18 

Remodelled    Barracks   "C" Started  6-  1-18.  finished  7-  1-18 

Remodelled  Y.  M.  C.  A Started  6-  1-18.  finished  7-  1-18 

Five  Vehicle   Storehouses Started  2-18-18.  finished  9-  7-18 

Concrete  General   Storage   Bldg Started  2-18-18.  finished  3-  1-19 

With  the  excei)tion  of  the  \'ehicle  Storehouses  and  Cieneral  Storage 
Buildings,  these  buildings  were  of  frame  and  of  a  more  or  less  temporary 
nature. 

Before  building  operations  could  be  made  possible,  it  was  necessary, 
in  most  cases,  especially  at  the  southwestern  and  northwestern  parts  of 
the  Island,  to  clear  the  land  from  trees,  as  a  large  portion  of  these  sections 
were  well  wooded  with  trees  ranging  from  three  feet  in  diameter  to  brush 
size.  Also  land  levels  had  to  be  graded  to  suit  conditions,  roads  had  to  be 
built,  and  at  many  parts  of  the  Island  proper  drainage  facilities  had  to  be 
effected.  Considerable  excavating  was  especially  necessary  at  the  grounds 
of  the  General  Storehouse,  W-L,  as  will  be  seen  under  that  heading. 


ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL 


29 


In  general,  Rock  Island  Arsenal  is  laid,  as  the  name  implies,  on  an 
island  of  rock,  crusted  with  its  own  disintegrated,  eroded  and  finely 
pulverized  deposits,  this  intermixed  with  sedimentary  organic  substances, 
mostly  of  a  vegetable  character.  The  rock,  like  that  of  nearly  all  of  this 
part   of   the    United    States,    is    a    lime-stone,    partially    oolitic,    but   mostly 


^l„.|.  li,  .■,|u,|,|,.-,l  r,„  ll„. 
supplying  steam 


:i.  1,11.-  nl  ,f,  iip.ralors.       Brl,,w.  .\,-w  St.-aiu   H.-alillf:  I'lanl.  li..u>.int:  l.i.ll.- 
nt  in  quantity  and  pressure  to  operate  tlie  niacliinery  of  the  Arsenal, 
serving  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  water  power. 


sedimentary,  extremely  finely  grained.  Outcrop  of  the  rock  has  been  en- 
countered at  nearly  all  parts  of  the  Island,  but  an  average  of  three  feet  of 
excavation  is  necessary  in  order  to  reach  its  bed.  At  various  parts  of 
the  Island,  especially  the  western  part  along  Main  a\enue.  rock  was  not 
encountered  at  over  six  feet  depth  of  excavation,  and  in  the  south  center, 
near  Storehouse  "G",  thirty  foot  tests  were  made  to  reach  rock.  This  has 
led,  therefore,  to  the  policy,  for  each  project,  of  establishing  rock  grade  at 
the  site  of  buildings  by  digging  to  or  sounding  rock. 

The  entire  sewage  from  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal  is  drained  through 
sanitary  drains  of  vitrified  tile,  of  concrete  and  of  brick.  At  a  point  in 
the  basement  of  Shops  "A"  and  "B"  there  is  a  24-inch  brick  arched  sewer 


30  ROCK       1   S   L  A   X   D       A  R  S   E   N  A  L 

extending  east  to  the  intersection  of  Shops  "H"  and  "K",  and  all  the 
temporary  barracks  on  East  avenue,  thence  south  on  Fourth  street  to  the 
center  of  Fourth  street  and  South  avenue,  where  the  laterals  from  Shops 
"A",  "C".  "IC",  "G".  "I",  Storehouse  "A"  and  the  main  (iuard  House  are 
connected.  From  this  intersection  the  main  36-inch  sewer  is  laid  in  a 
diagonal  line  to  the  power  house  tail  race,  into  which  it  empties  about 
100-feet  south  of  the  power  house.  It  also  takes  the  sewage  from  the 
Truck  (iarage  and  the  Temporary  Testing  Laboratory. 

In  August  of  1917  the  Stone  &  \\'ebster  Company  constructed  a  30- 
inch  vitrified  tile  sewer  to  the  Artillery  \'ehicle  Plant,  draining  surface 
water  from  the  low  ground  around  the  I'owder  and  Fulminate  Caves,  the 
sewage  from  the  Ammunition  Assembling  Plant,  the  Central  Heating  Plant 
and  the  new  Cafeteria.  This  is  a  very  good  and  properly  constructed  sewer, 
all  laid  in  a  graded  trench  with  iron-covered  man-holes  at  intervals  of 
400  feet. 

The  west  end  of  the  Island  is  drained  through  a  sanitary  sewer  in- 
stalled in  1918  by  the  Walsh  Construction  Co.  The  sewage  disposal  from 
the  six-story  Storage  Building  drains  ofT  to  the  northeast  through  a  six- 
teen-inch  tile  sewer  and  connects  to  the  thirty-six  inch  just  southwest  of 
the  Connnanding  Officer's  quarters.  Man-holes  are  provided  in  appropriate 
places,  with  a  perforated  iron  cover. 

The  ujjper  or  east  part  of  the  Island  is  drained  by  a  surface  drain 
which  empties  into  the  water  power  ])ool  about  3.000  feet  from  the  Power 
House. 

The  Steel  Storage  Building,  built  l)y  Stone  6c  Webster,  is  located  at 
the  west  end  of  the  Field  and  Siege  Building  (Shop  M).  is  a  one-story 
steel-framed  building  on  concrete  ff»imdation.  and  with  an  outside  concrete 
wall  to  the  height  of  the  lower  window  sills.  The  superstructure  walls  are 
of  hollow  tile,  plastered  on  the  outside.  The  front  walls  of  the  building 
are  entirely  of  concrete,  to  match  the  architecture  of  the  Field  and  Siege 
Building  as  viewed  from  the  Main  avenue.  The  roof  is  of  wood,  supported 
on  steel  trusses.  The  building  is  107  feet  wide  and  322  feet  long,  with  a 
row  of  steel  columns  down  the  center.  Two  crane-ways  are  provided  for, 
running  the  whole  length  of  the  building,  one  on  each  side  of  the  center 
row  of  columns. 

The  new  Cafeteria  building  is  of  frame  on  concrete  foundation,  96 
feet  by  256  feet,  and  contains  a  men's  dining  room  at  the  east  end, 
ladies'  dining  room  and  officers'  dining  room  at  the  west  end.  and  kitchen 
and  store  room  in  the  center.  It  is  designed  for  serving  meals  on  the 
cafeteria  plan.  A  small  cellar  for  storage  is  provided.  The  building  is 
constructed  with  6-inch  studding,  sheathing  and  drop  siding  and  has  a 
monitor  32-feet  wide  down  the  center.  The  floors  are  maple.  The  inside 
walls   are   finished   with   yellow   pine   sheathing   and    the   ceiling   with   wall 


ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL 


31 


board.  At  one  end  there  is  a  cement  floor  porch  20  feet  by  40  feet,  en- 
closed, for  the  sale  of  candy  and  cigars.  The  service  ecjuipment  was  furnish- 
ed by  Albert  Pick  Co.,  of  Chicago,  but  was  installed  by  Stone  &  Webster, 
Avho  also  installed  the  plumbing  and  heating.  The  electric  lighting  was 
also  installed  by  Stone  &  Webster,  and  a  refrigerator  plant  for  cooling 
three  boxes — meat,  dairy  and  vegetable,  and  drinking  water — has  been 
installed  in  the  basement.  About  2000  feet  of  dining  tables  were  assembled. 
All   the   kitchen,   refrigerating  and   service   counter   ecjuipment  was   bought 


■JSKi^|p>«^ 


*—- ff  ■  ■  ■  B  Bags 


.11  iB 


Shop  L  is  also  an  imposing  structure.      Here  are  two  views  of  it. 


by  the  government  and  installed  by  Stone  &  Webster.  The  building  re- 
quired approximately  275,000  board  feet  of  lumber.  Work  was  started 
October  1,  1918,  and  the  first  meal  was  served  January  6.  1919. 

The  Parkerizing  Plant  is  a  frame  building  with  concrete  floor  on 
concrete  foundation,  36  feet  wide  by  76  feet  long.  Work  was  started 
August  22,   1918,  and  completed  October   17,   1918. 

The  first  duct  line  built  by  Stone  tS:  Webster  at  the  Arsenal  ran  from 
the  present  service  tunnel  near  East  avenue,  along  the  south  side  of  the 
old  shops,  and  west  to  the  new  boiler  house  to  Shop  M.  This  duct  line  was 
built  to  provide  the  light  and  power  to  Shop  M  and  to  the  Ammunition 
Assembling  Plant  south  of  the  boiler  house.    The  line  consists  of  eight  3|/2- 


32  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

inch  fibre  duct,  encased  in  concrete,  with  manholes  approximately  300  feet 
apart.  Branches  from  this  duct  were  constructed  into  the  rear  of  the 
south  shops,  where  transformers  were  installed  by  the  government.  The 
second  duct  line  consisted  of  a  continuation  from  the  government  service 
tunnel  west  of  Shop  *'K",  around  the  north  side  of  the  north  shops,  with 
branches  into  the  courts  of  the  north  shops,  where  transformers  were  also 
to  be  installed.  Cable  was  installed  in  these  ducts  so  that  high  tension 
current  could  be  brought  close  to  the  shups.  where  it  was  to  be  transformed. 
This  work  was  com})leted  during  the  summer  of  1918. 

A  new  concrete  tunnel  4  feet  by  4  feet  6  inches,  containing  an  8-inch 
high  pressure  line  and  a  4-inch  return  line  and  1 '/2-inch  drip  line,  was 
constructed  b}-  Stone  t^  Webster  from  the  Central  Heating  Plant  to  the 
new  W'arehinise  \\'-I  on  Main  avenue,  to  supply  steam  for  heating  that 
building.     This  tunnel  is  ai)pr()ximately  1360  feet  long. 

A  new  S3stem  of  water  mains  for  hre  protection  was  designed  by  the 
Maintenance  Department  at  the  Arsenal  during  the  summer  of  1918.  This 
system  is  designed  for  high  pressure  service  (215  lbs.  per  square  inch), 
which  is  obtained  by  the  installation  of  two  pumps  at  the  new  Hydro- 
Electric  Power  House.  This  system  consists  of  class  "F"  cast  iron  water 
pipes,  ranging  from  14  inches  to  6  inches,  and  runs  from  the  Power  House 
north  along  East  avenue  to  Main  avenue,  west  on  Main  avenue  to  a  point 
about  300  feet  west  of  the  Davenport  gate.  At  the  junction  of  Main  and 
West  avenue  there  is  a  branch  running  north  to  the  new  temporary  ottices 
and  a  branch  running  south  to  connect  with  the  present  main  at  the  Nitrate 
Storehouses  and  the  Ammunition  Assembling  Plant.  There  is  also  a  main 
south  of  the  south  shops  from  East  to  \\'est  avenues.  At  the  junction  of 
Main  avenue  and  East  avenue  there  is  a  branch  running  to  the  Hospital. 
From  the  main  south  of  the  south  shops  there  is  a  branch  running  to  the 
dry  kilns.  There  is  also  an  extension  north  from  the  main  on  Main  avenue 
running  along  the  west  side  of  the  new  warehouse,  and  extensions  around 
the  Artillery  \'ehicle  Storehouses  and  the  new  Steel  Warehouses  north  of 
Main  avenue. 

The  Main  avenue  line  has  also  been  extended,  as  contemplated  in 
the  original  scheme,  to  point  opposite  the  old  Arsenal  Building.  Ap- 
proximately 19,600  lineal  feet  of  pipe  has  been  installed,  and  there  are  more 
than  70  hydrants.  All  mains  are  laid  so  that  there  shall  be  a  minimum  of 
five  feet   covering  over  the  top. 

The  (jeneral  Storage  Building  W-I  was  erected  by  Walsh  Construction 
Company.  Plans  and  specifications  were  prepared  by  the  Supply  Division 
of  the  Ordnance  Department  at  Washington.  D.  C.  This  building  covers 
a  ground  area  of  about  96.000  square  feet  (including  platforms)  and  has 
a  cubical  content  of  about  5,496,000  cubic  feet.  No  special  difficulty  was 
encountered   in   the    purchasing  or   delivery   of   materials.      The   arrival    of 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  33 

material  being  sufficiently  in  advance  of  work  started  not  to  delay  normal 
progress  of  work.  Excavation  was  started  March  4,  1918.  The  floor  level 
of  the  first  floor  was  established  about  eight  feet  below  the  natural  grade, 
in  order  to  obtain  proper  track  grades.  A  most  unusual  condition  of  rock 
grade  was  found,  beds  of  shell  rock,  sometimes  of  considerable  length 
and  thickness,  were  frequently  encountered  imbedded  in  clay,  and  very 
accurate  tests  had  to  be  made  to  determine  whether  bed  rock  had  been 
reached.  The  construction  is  reinforced  concrete  four-way  flat  slab,  wnth 
steel  sash  and  frames.  It  is  equipped  with  five  elevators  and  one  suspended 
tray  elevator,  furnished  by  the  Link-Belt  Company,  of  Chicago.  Provisions 
were  made  for  two  other  elevators.  A  feature  of  the  building  is  the 
three  stationary  spiral  chutes,  ten  feet  in  diameter,  carried  from  top  floor 


Artillery  Vehicle  Storehouses,  covering  many  acres  of  gruuml  near  west  end  of  the  Islanil. 

to  first  floor.  This  building  cost  twenty  cents  a  cubic  foot  and  $2.33  per 
square  foot  of  ground  area.  The  plumbing  and  electrical  work  was  in- 
stalled by  sub-contractors  of  the  'Walsh  Construction  Company,  and  the 
heating  was  let  under  an  emergency  form  of  contract  to  the  Henry  Ewinger 
Plumbing  and  Heating  Company,  of  Burlington,  Iowa,  the  Arsenal  furnish- 
ing the  material. 

OTHER  BUILDING  OPERATIONS 

Vehicle  Storage  Buildings. — Plans  and  specifications  were  prepared 
by  the  Supply  Division,  Ordnance  Department,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 
These  buildings  each  cover  an  area  of  about  54,500  square  feet,  with  the 
exception  of  Number  9,  which  covers  about  44,200  square  feet  of  floor 
area.  Excavation  was  started  September  15,  1918.  The  footings  are  of 
rock,  from  three  to  seven  feet  below  the  surface,  but  no  tests  were  made 
as  to  whether  the  rock  was  bed  rock  or  shell  rock,  as  struck  at  the  General 
Storage  Building  W-I.  These  buildings  cost  about  12>^  cents  per  cubic 
foot  and  about  $1.99  per  square  foot  of  ground  area.  They  are  one-story 
structures  built  of  brick,  wooden  posts  and  griders  and  rafters. 

North  and  South  Avenue  Paving. — Plans  and  specifications  were  pre- 
pared   by    the    Rock    Island    Arsenal    Construction    Department    from    sug- 


34  R  O  C  K       1    s   L  A  X   D       ARSENAL 

gestions  and  data  <^i\eii  hy  the  Portland  Cement  Association,  which  co- 
operated with  the  Arsenal  by  having  a  representative  on  the  work  during 
a  large  part  of  the  time.  North  avenue  paving  was  already  started  before 
the  Construction  Division  took  charge,  and  was.  therefore,  not  rei)orted 
with  South  avenue.  Cost  accounts  were,  however,  handled  by  the  Walsh 
Construction  Company  as  one  job  for  the  two  avenues. 

Motor  Truck  Ciarage. — Plans  and  specifications  were  prepared  by  the 
Rock  Island  Arsenal  Construction  Department  engineering  forces,  and 
were  completed  about  July  2,  1918;  rock  was  struck  close  to  the  surface 
on  the  north  end.  During  the  process  of  excavation,  it  was  deemed 
necessary  to  alter  the  position  of  the  building  as  originally  staked  out. 
and  an  extra  of  $565.00.  ccnered  by  specifications,  was  allowed  the  contractor. 
An  extra  of  $175.00  was  also  allowed  for  column  spirals,  making  the  total 
cost  $32,000.00.  This  building  has  a  ground  area  of  7.000  square  feet  and 
a  cubic  area  of  206.500  cubic  feet.  About  90  per  cent  of  the  material  for 
this  building  was  bought  locally.  The  remainder,  steel  frame  work  and 
steel  sash,  was  obtained  from  the  Illinois  Steel  Company.  Jacksonville. 
Illinois,  and  the  David  Lupton  Sons  Company.  Philadelphia.   Pennsylvania. 

Three  steel  frame  warehouses  were  authorized  in  January.  1919.  These 
buildings  are  located  adjacent  to  the  vehicle  storehouses  on  the  north- 
western part  of  the  Island.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  a  numljer  of  the  former 
Arsenal  war  workers  were  deprived  of  their  j)ositions  on  account  of  the 
signing  of  the  Armistice,  it  was  decided  to  erect  these  buildings  with 
Arsenal  workmen,  thereby  giving  emi)loyment  to  o\er  three  hundred  and 
sixty  men  at  one  time.  These  buildings  ;jvere  erected  more  econom- 
ically than  if  let  under  a  cost  plus  type  of  contract,  as  no  overhead  or 
purchasing  expense  was  necessary,  this  work  being  handled  by  the  Purchas- 
ing and  Time  Division  of  the  Arsenal. 

These  warehouses  were  originally  intended  to  be  erected  in  France 
for  war  purposes,  and  all  the  steel  was  fabricated  and  cut  to  the  proper 
lengths  with  all  holes  for  connections  drilled,  and  all  that  was  necessary 
was  to  erect  the  buildings  in  place. 

WATICR  SUPPLY.  (IAS  MAINS.  ETC. 

During  the  summer  of  1918,  to  meet  the  demand  for  more  filtered 
water,  there  was  installed  a  new  filter  bed,  which  has  a  capacity  of  500,000 
gallons  of  water  per  day.  This  gives  now  a  total  supply  of  1,500,000  gallons 
of  filtered  water  i)er  day  of  24  hours.  There  was  also  installed  at  the  filter 
plant  a  high  tank,  which  has  a  capacity  of  300.000  gallons  of  water,  and  is 
one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  high  from  the  ground  line.  All  of 
the  water  system  is  now  supplied  from  this  new  high  tank,  which  gives  a 
constant  pressure  of  55  lbs.  at  the  base. 

During  the  summer  of  1918  a  new  ice  plant,  which  has  a  10-ton 
refrigerating    capacity,    was    jnit    in     service.      The    ice    plant    was    used 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


35 


principally    for   cooling    drinking   water   to    supply    all    the    shops   through 
sanitary  bubbling  fountains. 

During  the  summer  of  1918  it  was  found,  on  account  of  the  rapid 
expansion  of  production  in  the  shops,  that  the  gas  main  supplying  city 
gas  for  furnaces,  hardening,  etc.,  was  not  large  enough  for  the  demand. 
The  old  gas  main  location  was  from  the  Forty-second  street  bridge.  Rock 
Island,  and  through  the  new  Nitrate  Storage  building  site.  This  was 
considered  dangerous,  in  addition  to  its  being  too  small.  An  allotment  was 
made  to  install  a  new  6-inch  gas  main  from  the  Forty-second  street  bridge 
in  Rock  Island,  following  the  street  car  track  around  to  the  east  of  Shop 


Kiiijioiai)    Office  Building  No.  2.      Il  was  necessary  to  provide  quarters  for  hundreds  of  extra  office  workers  during 
the  war.     This  is  one  of  the  buildings  erected  for  that  purpose. 


"G"  and  then  north  to  Shop  "H".  After  this  was  completed  the  Arsenal 
was  then  in  a  position  to  take  care  of  all  the  furnaces  that  were  required. 
This  gas  is  furnished  by  the  Peoples  Power  &  Light  Company,  of  Moline, 
and  is  metered  in  each  shop. 

In  June,  1917,  there  was  installed  in  the  west  wing  of  Shop  "F"  one 
Sullivan  high  pressure  air  compressor.  Previous  to  this  time  there  were 
only  two  small  air  compressors  in  service.  These  not  being  large  enough 
for  war  work,  it  was  necessary  to  greatly  increase  the  air  capacity.  There 
were  also  installed  in  Shop  "M"  one  high  pressure  Worthington  air  com- 
pressor of  2500  feet  capacity  and  one  low  pressure  Worthington  compressor 
of  2800  feet  capacity.  It  was  found  during  the  summer  of  1918  that  it 
would  be  necessary  to  move  the  low  pressure  machine  from  Shop  "M" 
to  Shop  "F"  to  supply  enough  air  for  the  additional   furnaces   installed  in 


36  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSE   X  A   L 

this  building.     After  this   was   done  there  was   plenty  of  air   to   take   care 
of  all  requirements. 

There  are  eight  500  horse  power  Babcock  &  Wilcox  boilers,  ar- 
ranged in  batteries  of  two  units  each.  The  eight  boilers  are  served  by 
one  stack.  12-foot  inside  diameter,  and  extending  210  feet  above  the  grates. 
The  working  steam  pressure  of  the  boilers  is  one  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds,  and  there  are  four  four-inch  Ashton  safety  valves  on  each  boiler. 
set  at  150  pounds.  Each  boiler  has  5.080  square  feet  heating  surface.  252 
four-inch  tubes  and  108  square  feet  of  grate  surface. 

PROTECTIXE  LIGHTING 

A  series  incandescent  light  circuit  was  installed  on  the  fence  surrounding 
the  manufacturing  shops  and  storehouses — one  circuit  for  the  Nitrate  Store- 
houses and  one  circuit  for  the  Ammunition  Plant.  The  illumination  is  such 
that  a  guard  patroling  the  fence  is  able  to  see  the  entire  length,  which  is, 
in  some  cases.  2.000  feet,  approximately.  Flood  lamps  were  placed  on  the 
power  house,  lighting  the  river  on  both  the  north  and  south  sides.  The 
avenues  are  lighted  with  a  series  incandescent  light  circuit,  eighty  candle 
power  lamps  being  installed  eA^fery  two  hundred  feet. 

"^or  inter-communication  between  the  various  shops  and  departments,  a 
tiiree  hundred  line  two-wire  local  battery  automatic  telephone  ex- 
change has  been  installed.  This  system  not  only  takes  care  of  the  manu- 
facturing shops  and  storehouses,  but  affords  communication  between  the 
outlying  guard  houses,  pumping  station  and  power  houses. 

An  electric  time  system  was  installed  in  many  of  the  departments,  wliich 
takes  care  of  the  job  cards  of  the  employees  t)n  piece  and  day  work; 
electric  time  recorders  are  also  used  for  employees,  registering  their  time 
of  arrival  and  departure. 

An  electric  signal  system,  which  consists  of  klaxons  installed  in  each 
=hop.  are  controlled  by  the  master  clock  through  a  series  of  relays.  These 
klaxons  are  sounded  automatically  for  the  working  hours  of  the  shops. 

On  June  30.  1912.  the  following  roads  were  in  use  on  the  reservation: 
8.88  miles  of  macadam.  11.61  miles  of  cinder,  0.57  mile  of  taroid. 

At  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year  1916-1917  the  following  roads  were  in 
use:     5.27  miles  macadam.  11.61  miles  cinder.  4.21  miles  taroid. 

Roads  on  reservation  in  March.  1919,  consisted  of:  8.85  miles  macadam, 
5  miles  taroid,  6  miles  concrete,  and  6.33  miles  cinder. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  war  there  was  3.13  miles  of  railroad  trackage 
on  the  reservation.  During  the  year  1918  approximately  16  miles  of 
finished  track  was  laid,  all  light  rails  in  the  old  tracks  having  been  re- 
placed with  80-pound  rgils,  switch  lights  installed,  etc. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


Z7 


SUMMARY    OF    CONSTRUCTION    PROJECTS    COMPLETED    AT 
ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL  SINCE  APRIL  7,  1917 


Name   of   Project 

Type    of    Construction 

Purpose 

Cost 

Steel       Water       Su 
Tank 

ppiy 

Steel,  300.000  gals,  capacity 

Water  supply 

% 

21.400.00 

Ice-Making    Plant 

Brick   and    concrete 

Ice     for     shops 
refrigeration 
drinking     wa 
system 

and 

for 

t  er 

24,500.00 

Non -Commissioned 
ficers   Quarters 

Of- 

Hollow    tile,    stuccoed 

Quarters     for 
Commissioned 
ficers 

Non- 
Of- 

10.600.00 

Toilet  Addition  to  Stone 
Barracks 


Stone     building     with     reinforced 
floors,    slate    roof 


Toilet  facilities  for 
Ordnance  person- 
nel 


32,500.00 


30  Nitrate  and  Ammuni- 
tion   Storehouses 


Hollow  tile,  concrete  construction. 
Each  building  o0'x200'.  Steel 
trusses 


Storage  of  sodium 
nitrate  and  artil- 
lery ammunition 


490.000.00 


Artillery   Vehicle   Store- 
house 


Reinforced    concrete    construction 
2-story    and    attic;    53'xl40'. 


Storage 
veliicU' 


.f    artillery 


31.330.00 


Artillery        Ammunition 
Assemlily    Plant 


Keinforced  concrete  construction. 
3C0'x400';  north  section,  3 
stories :  east  section.  2  stories ; 
west  section,  1  story;  basement 
under    entire    building 


Assembly  of  artillery 
ammunition 


2,093,000.00 


Wheel    Stock    Dry    Kiln 


Keinforced  concrete  and  hollow 
tile  construction,  105'x207'.  Con- 
tains   27    Tiemann    type    kilns 


Gun    Stock    Dry    Kiln 


Keinforced  concrete  and  hollow 
tile  construction,  105'xll5'.  Con- 
tains   11    Tiemann    type    kilns 


Drying    wheel    stoclv  \ 


Drying    and    season- 
ing of  gun  stocks 


Three  (3)  Lumber  Slieds 


Steel  frame,  slate  roof ;  each  shed   | 
approximately    40'x240'  I 


S  t  o  r  a  g  e  of  gun 
stocks  and  wheel 
stock   material 


The  cost  of 
these  three 
p  r  o  j  e  cts  is 
approximate- 
ly panneeoo.oo 


Addition    to    Gun    Stock 
Dry    Kiln 


Keinforced  concrete  and  hollow  | 
tile  construction,  105'xl."i2'.  Con-  | 
tains   17   Tiemann    type   Ivilus         | 


Drying    and    season- 
ing   of  gun    stocks 


%    127.000.00 


Artillery    Vehicle    Plant 


Keinforced  concrete  construction. 
Consists  of  Main  Erection  Shop 
120'xU05',  4  stories ;  3  wings 
each  S0'x200',  4  stories  and 
basement ;  and  one  story  Forge 
Shop,  KJO'xlGO' 


Manufacture   of   field  I 
artillery   material     I 


4   Shop   (Connections  | 


Keinforced  concrete  <'onstruction, 
with  stone  veneered  walls.  Each 
building  GO'xOO',  2  stories,  attic 
and   basement 


Additional    manufac-  I 

turing  space.  Small  | 

arms,  harness,  field  | 

artillery     material,  | 

etc.  1 


300.00(1.00 


Central    Steam    Heatinj 
Plant 


Keinforced    (oucrete    construction.    |    Ileatiuf 
containing  eight  504  H.  P.  water  building 

tube   boilers,   automatic   stokers, 
etc.      Stack    210'    high,    12'    dia. 


of        shop   I 


610.000.00 


Steel   Storage  Building     | 


Keinforced     concrete    and     hollow 
tile  construction,  10G'x320' 


Storage  of  steel  used 
in  nninufacturing 
operations 


173,000.00 


Tinning      and      Plating 
Shop 


Keinforced    concrete    construction, 
5O'xl0O' 


Tinning  and  plating 
of  articles  manu- 
factured in  E(iuip- 
ment    vShop 


23,000.00 


Storage  Building  W-I 


iSlonolithic  concrete  construction 
with  flat  slab  floors  and  roof. 
140'x540',  (i  stories 


General    storage 


1,560,000.00 


Eight     Vehicle     Storage 
Buildings 


Briclv  exterior  walls,  mill  con- 
structed roofs,  concrete  floors 
with  ;'i5  feet  concrete  platforms. 
(7  buildings  115'x.500'  and  one 
l)uildiiig     115'x400') 


Storage    of    artillery 
vehicles 


S65.000.00 


Motor   Truck   Garage  | 


Keinforced  concrete  construction, 
l)ric]<  walls,  flat  roof  supported 
on  steel  trusses,  70'xl00',  two 
stories 


Storage     and     repair 
of    motor    trucks 


35,500.00 


Addition  to  North  Lum- 
ber   Shed 


Light   steel   frame   and    slate   roof 
construction,   3(i'xl40' 


Storage    of    lumber 


7,534.00 


Office    Annex    No.    1 


Temporary      frame      construction. 
30'x!)0'.    three    stories 


Additional  office 
space 


IS,  000. 00 


38 


ROCK       ISLAND       A    R  S    K   N  A  L 


SUMMARY    OF 


R( 


CONSTRUCTION    PROJFXTS    COMPLKTRD    AT 
)CK  ISLAND  ARSKNAL— Continued 


Naiiu> 

of   1 

•rojcrt 

Type   of   Coiistrtictioii 

I'UI 

pose 

Tost 

Barracks 

•A- 

Temporary  fniiiu'  constriK-tioii. 
xl47' 

20' 

Ilolisiii;: 
Scliool 

OnliiaiKe 
liersoiinel 

5.500.00 

Barrack.s    "B"    ami    "C" 


Temporary      frame      eoiistriK'tioii.    | 
(ISarracks      "H"      aeeoiiimodates   | 
-IVJ    men    and    ISarracks    ■■('"    ae- 
eommodates    K>5    men  I  I 


Iloiisintr       Orilinnwe 
Srhool      personnel 


74.tM)0.00 


Hea<l(|iiarters  for  Casiinl 
Militar.v     I'ersonnel 


Temporary      frame      eonstrn<-tion. 
4:{'.\ !.-.()' 


Headquarters  bnild- 
intr  for  Ordnance 
School  Commis- 
sioned   |>ersonnel 


Kecreation  Knildin;;  and 
Tost    Kxchanjre 


Temporary      frame      construction, 
:{.S'.\14(!' 


I'(»st  exclian^re  and 
recreational  (piar- 
ters 


11.5(K).0« 


First-Aid    Hospital 


Temporary      frame      construction, 
44'x77' 


First-aid     treatment 
of     civilian     cases 


!l.200.00 


Isolation   Hospital 


Teinponiry      frame      construction. 


Isolation     cases 


3.000.00 


Hospital   Ward   and    Is- 
olation   Ward 


Temporary  frame  construction, 
standard  hospital  ward  units; 
each    ll.'4'xl50' 


llospit.-il  ward  de- 
sitrned  for  ireneral 
c;ises  and  isolation 
ward  for  care  of 
cont.-ifjious    diseas- 


. 

es 

22.t>00.0(l 

Lal)or:itorv     for     Motor 
Truck     Testinsr 

Temporary 
71'x100' 

fninie      construction. 

Testiu}! 
trucks 
tors 

of 
and 

motor  1 
trac-   1 

17.700.00 

Office    Buildinjr    No.    2    ■ 

Teniporar.v 
main      liu 
win>rs  ea( 

frame      construction, 
ihlinjr      42'xl.".(!';      two 
h  4:i'xOS':  :i   stories 

I  n  c  r  e  a 
space 

s  iiifr 

office   ! 

1 

r.1.000.00 

Barracks    •D" 

Temporary      frame      construction,   1    Housing  hattalion  of  1 
4:{'xl4()'.     two    stories                           1        10th    Infantry    sta-    1 

'        tioned   at    Rock    Is-    | 
1        l.ind     Arsenal     for 
1        KUiir.l    purposes          |                C.O.OOO.OO 

I'arkerizing    Plant 

Temporary      frame      construction, 
with    concrete     Hoor,    7(i'x:i(;' 

I'arkeriziny:  coinpoii-    , 
ents   of  I".   S.   Ititle.    j 
Cii\.    .30                             !                  9  700.00 

Cafeteria    Building 

Temporary      frame      construction, 
!)(!'x25(i'.       Concrete     foun<lation 
with     maple     Moors 

Facilities  for  servintr   ! 
lunch     to     Arsenal  | 
employees                                      !)3.0(X).00 

5   Temporary    Store- 
houses 


Temporary      fr.inie  construction.   I 

size     of     linildin;rs  as     follows: 

OO'xCOO'     1    storv  (.MA) 

(iO'x.")04'- 1   slorv  (BAI 

60'x372'— 1  story  (KA) 

60'x3.")2'— 1  storv  (<;a»                    ' 

52'xl47'— 1   storv  (AA  I                     | 


(ieneral  storajre  pur- 
poses 


•i    Steel    Warehouses 


Steel  frame  const  ruci  ion,  corru- 
jrated  sheet  metal  sidin;;,  pre- 
I>ared  roof,  cinder  Hoor.  Eacdi 
liuildiiifr     240'x.'i(M)' 


Gener;; ■  sU)raj;e  pur- 
poses 


250.000.00 


Kxtension       of       Hydro- 
electric    I'ower     riant 


Superstructure  is  n  hrick  build- 
injr,  30'x233'.  Extension  con- 
tains ei;rht  420  II.  V.  turbines, 
direct  connected  to  40.">  K.  V.  A. 
Kenerators  and  2  I'.Hi  II.  1'.  tur- 
bines, direct  connected  to  130 
kilowatt    generators 


I  ncreasin^r     p  o  w  e  r 
supply 


74S,  000.00 


ARSENAL'S   M.\NUI^\CTUR1N(  i   C.XrACrrV 

With  its  greatly  increased  capacity  llie  Arsenal,  of  course,  is  prepared 
to  play  an  even  more  important  part  in  future  wars,  if  any  occur,  than  it 
has  in  the  wars  of  the  past.  In  order  to  ascertain  just  what  may  be  expected 
of  it  as  a  manufacturing  plant,  a  close  study  of  its  resources  has  been  made 
and  the  results  are  summarized  in  tabular  form,  as  here  appended.  With 
diversified  output  the  individual  items  may  not  seem  so  im])osing,  but 
should   attention  be   centered   upon   a   relati\cly    small    number  of   the   more 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  39 

essential  articles  of  war  equipment  the  output  will  run  into  large  figures. 
The  following  ingenuously  arranged  tabulation  gives  in  most  concise  form 
all  available  information  pertaining  to  possible  rate  of  production  of  the 
various  items  with  the  existing  facilities: 

"A" — Facilities  installed  expressly  for  production  monthly  of  the   fol- 
lowing: 

(1)  360  75mm.  gun  recuperators 

(2)  40  3"  A.  A.  gun  recuperators 

"B" — Production  units   for  simultaneous   production   per  month  of  ap- 
proximately : 

(1)  4  155mm.  or  4.7"  gun  recuperators 

(2)  4  155mm.  howitzer  recuperators 

(3)  4  155mm.  gun  carriages   (without  recuperators) 

(4)  4  155mm.  howitzer  carriages  (without  recuperators) 

(5)  6  4.7"  gun  carriages  (without  recuperators) 

(6)  10  75mm.  gun  carriages  (without  recuperators) 

(7)  4  155mm.  gun  carriage  limbers 

(8)  4  155mm.  howitzer  carriage  limbers 

(9)  6  155mm.  howitzer  caissons  or  limbers 

(10)  6  4.7"  gun  caissons  or  limbers 

(11)  10  75mm.  gun  caissons  or  limbers 

(12)  10  battery  and  store  wagons,  Model   1917 

(13)  10  75mm.  forge  or  store  limbers 

"C" — The   production   units   for   the   items   listed    in   paragraph   "B",   if 
devoted  to  one   item,   could   produce   a   maximum   quantity   of   that   item  as 
follows : 

4  155mm.  ur  4.7"  gun  carriages  with  recuperators  and  limbers 

4  155mm.   howitzer   carriages  with   recuperators  and   limbers 

40  4.7"  gun  carriages,  Model  1906 

75  75mm.  gun  carriages.  Model  1916 

250  75mm.  gun  limbers  or  caissons 

250  Battery  and  store  wagons.  Model   1917 

250  Forge  or  store  limbers.  Model  1902  MI 

"D" — Tools,  jigs,  fixtures,  patterns  and  gauges  in  store  at  this  Arsenal 
available  for  issue  to  contractors  for  a  monthly  production  of: 
60  155mm.  gun  material 
200  155mm.  howitzer  material 
100  4.7"  gun  material 
360  75mm.  gun  material 
40  3"  A.  A.  gun  material 

Note:  By  "material"  is  meant  comiilele  e<inipinent  for  carriages,  caissons,  limbers,  battery 
and  store  wagons,  forge  aiul  store  liml)ers,  reels,  carts,  tools  and  accessories,  pertaining  to  the 
calibre   mentioned. 


40  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

*'E" — Simultaneous  production  per  month  of: 

30,000  U.  S.  rifles,  Model  1903 

6,000  Browning  automatic  machine  guns,  Model  of  1917 
12,000  Browning  automatic  rifles,  Model  of  1918 

Note:     The  machinery  for  these  two   units   is  at    Kock    Island    Arsenal   but    not   yet   installed, 
the  above  fijjures  is  the  estimated  possible   production   only,   slmuld   installation    be  acctunplished. 

"F" — Simultaneous  production  per  month  of: 

100,000  mess  equipment — canteens,  cups,  meat  cans,  etc. 

3.000  arm  racks,  Model  1920 

250,000  tin  containers  for  75mm.  ammunition 

13,750  hardware  for  rolling  targets 

27,500  hardware  for  sliding  targets 

20.000  (1)  6"  cartridge  storage  cases 

13,750  (2)  8"  cartridge  storage  cases 

13,750  (3)  10"  cartridge  storage  cases 

11,250  (4)   12"  cartridge  storage  cases 

Note:     ('apacity   limited  on   (:irtridj.'e  sturajre  cases  as  above  to    (li    and   either  one  of   (2).    (31 
or    (4)    simultaneously. 

"G" — Simultaneous  production  of  either   (1).   (2j   or   (3)   of   each   unit 
at  the  same  time  per  month : 

5,625  (1)  wheels.  56"  complete 

3,750  (2)     wheels,  58"  complete 

2,750  *(  3)  wheels,  50"  and  60"  complete 
37,500  (1)   packing  boxes 

90,000  (2)  cartridge   storage   case   shipping  covers 
18,750  (3)  bobbing  targets 

15,000  (1)   chests  for  Browning  automatic  rifles  or  machine  guns 
13,750  (2)   rolling  targets,  complete    • 

7,500  (3)  carpenter's  chests 

7,500  (1)  arm  repair  chests 

7,500  (2)   sliding  targets,  complete 

5,625  (3)  saddlers'  chests 

"H" — Simultaneous  production  of  (1)  and  either  (2)  or  (3)  at  the  same 
time  per  month : 

75,000,000  (1)  target  pasters 

600,000  (2)   paper  targets  6'xlO' 
900,000  (3)   paper  targets  6'x6' 

175,000  (1)  bayonet  or  bolo  scabbards.  Model   1910 
60,000  (2)   saber  scabbards.  Model   1913 

Either  (1)  or  (2)  can  be  manufactured  simultaneously  with  other  parts 
at   this   Arsenal,   but    facilities    for    the    necessary    cloth   and    leather   w^ork 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


41 


thereon  are  available  to  complete  a  maximum  of  only  7,500  of   either  per 
month. 

"K" — Special  machine  tools,  not  installed,  which,  with  addition  of 
standard  tools,  will  permit  of  manufacture  in  addition  to  the  facilities  now 
available  as  in  "A",  "B",  "C",  and  "D"  above: 

300  155mm.  howitzer  recuperators  per  month 
80  155mm.  gun  recuperators  per  month 


INCREASE  OF  STORAGE  SPACE 

Among  the  striking  changes  the  World  War  brought  to  Rock  Island 
Arsenal  was  the  increase  of  storage  space  from  545,000  square  feet  on 
March  31,  1917,  to  948,000  square  feet  on  February  28,  1918,  with  corres- 
ponding cubical  contents  of  12,250,000  feet. 

The  functions  of  the  storage  section  of  the  Arsenal,  during  the  war, 
embraced  activities  which  controlled  sixty  warehouses,  located  in  various 
parts    of    the    Island,    containing    approximately    1,764,837    square    feet    of 


Slurphouse  VI,  showiiif;  method  of  storing  artillery. 


Storage  space  under  roof,  in  addition  to  oil  storage  space  totalling  417,357 
gallons.  This  storage  ranged  from  newly  constructed  modern  warehouses, 
with  elevators,  box  conveyors  and  gravity  conveyors,  to  temporary  platforms 
roofed  in.  Some  of  the  major  items  in  use  embraced  2,000  feet  of  gravity 
conveyors,  seven  locomotive  cranes,  four  tractors,  twenty  trucks  and  trail- 
ers, and  one  shop  mule. 


42 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSE  N  A   L 


The  volume  of  incoming  and  outgoing  freight  from  July  1.  1919.  to 
June  1.  1920.  is  shown  in  the  following  summary: 

Cars    received 9  280 

Cars    shipped 2,485 

Cars   transferred 2.727 

Total  tonnage  in  pounds 555.404.304 

Government  bills  of  lading  received 10.254 

Commercial   bills  of  lading  received 3.149 

Bills   of    lading    forwarded 10.700 

Shipments    12,710 

Number   of    pieces 631,685 

The  gradual  increase  in  storehouse  activities  at  the  Arsenal  may  be 
thus  summarized  :  For  the  calendar  year  of  1916  the  shipments  averaged 
approximately  780,  representing  a  monthly  average  of  8,000  pieces,  weighing 
450  tons.  In  February.  1918.  a  total  of  2.300  shipments  were  made,  weighing 
3.383  tons  and  comprising  85.000  pieces.  In  April.  1918.  this  had  increased 
to  3.406  shii)ments.  consisting  of  59.796  pieces  and  weighing  18.312.000 
pounds. 

Building  done  since  the  early  part  of  1918  has  more  than  doubled  the 
amount  of  storage  space,  so  that  there  are  now  about  two  million  square  feet 
available  for  the  sheltering  of  war  material,  manufactured  and  in  the  raw 
state.  The  following  table  gives  the  designation  of  existing  storage  struc- 
tures, the  use  for  which  they  were  intended,  and  the  capacity: 


Nitrate  and  .\inmuiiilion  Storehouses. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


43 


STORAGE  SPACE  AT  ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL 


Bulldinj 


V-1 
V-2 
V-3 
V-4 
V-5 
V-6 
V-7 

v-s 

V-9 

V-10 

V-11 

V-12 

V-14 

V-15 

W-1 


AA 


X-1 

X-2 

X-3 

X-4 

X-5 

X-6 

X-7 

X.-8 

X-9 

X-10 

Y-1 

Y-2 

Y-3 

Y-4 

Y-5 

Y-6 

Y-7 

Y-8 

Y-9 

Y-10 

Z-1 

Z-2 

Z-3 

Z-4 

Z-5 

Z-6 

Z-7 

Z-8 

Z-9 

Z-10 

A-1 

L-4 

L-5 

L-6 

L-7 

L-8 

L-9 

L-10 

L-11 

L-12 

L-13 

L-14 

L-15 

L-16 

B-A 

G 


1st    floor 
2ncl    floor 


3rd 

4th 
5th 
()th 

1st 
L'lid 
3rd 
4th 

1st 
I'lid 


floor 
floor 
floor 
floor 
4 

floor 
floor 
floor 
floor 
2 

floor 
floor 


1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3   floors 

1st    floor 

2iid    floor 

3rd    floor 


Type  of  Material 


N'ehicle  storage 
^'ehicle  storage 
Tractor  parts 
Vehicle  storage 
Vehicle  storage 
Tractor  parts 
Vehicle  storage 
Vehicle  storage 
Vehicle  storage 
Vehicle  storage 

Tank,    tractor   and    vehicle    storage 

Artillery    gun    stock    blanks 

Vehicle  storage 

Vehicle  storage 

Miscellaneous   spare  parts  for  artillery 
arms 

Artillery  and  small  arms 

Artillery  and  small  arms 

Artillery  and  small  arms 

Artillery  and  small  arms 

Artillery  and  small  arms 

Artillery  and   small  arms 

Tools,   jigs  and   flxtures 

Tools,  jigs  and   flxtures 

Tools,  jigs  and  flxtures 
I   Tools,  jigs  and  flxtures 
i   Tools,  jigs  and   flxtures 
I   Dies 
I  Dies 
I   Dies 
I   Small  arms  ammunition  storage 

Cal.  30  rifle  storage 

C'al.  30  rifle  storage 

Sodium    Nitrate  storage 

]\Iotor  storage 

Tools,   jigs   and    flxtures 

Rifle  storage 

Motor  storage 

Cal.  30  rifle  storage 

Miscellaneous  Mark  VIII  tank  material 

Mark  VIII  transmissions 

Cal.  30  rifle  storage 

Fireworks  hand  grenade  storage 

Small  arms  ammunition   storage 

Sodium   nitrate   storage 

Sodium   nitrate   storage 

Sodium   nitrate   storage 

Sodium   nitrate    storage 

Sodium   nitrate   storage 

Small   ;irms   ammunition    storage 

Cal.   30   rifle  storage 

Sodium   nitrate   storage 

Cal.   30   ritle   storage 

Sodium    nitrate   storage 

Rifle   storage 

Rubber  tire  storage 

Ivubl)er  tire  storage 

Small  ai-ms   ammunition    storage 

Rubber  tire  storage 

Mark   VllI    transmission   storage 

Smokeless    powder   magazine 

Primer  and  fuze   magazine 

Primer  and  fuze  magaziiie 

High  explosive  magazine 

High  explosive  magazine 

High  exi)losive  magazine 

High  explosive   magazine 

High  explosive  magazine 

High  explosive   magazine 

High  explosive  magazine 

High  explosive   magazine 

High  explosive  magazine 

High  explosive   magazine 

High  explosive  magazine 

Inert  storage 

Spare   parts  for  tank 

Spare   parts  for   tank 

Spare   parts  for   tank 

Spare   parts  for   tank 


and   small 


Capa- 
city in 
Square 
P''eet 
54,300 
54,300 
54,300 
54,300 
54..300 
54.300 
54.300 
54.300 
42,(»00 
120,000 
130,000 
130,000 
21.720 
32,.")S0 


fiS,000 
08,000 
(iS.OOO 
08,000 
(iS,000 
(58,000 

15,075 
15,075 
15,075 
15,030 

7,081 

7,592 

9,500 

9,500 

9,500 

9,500 

9,500 

9.500 

9,500 

9,500 

9,500 

9,500 

9,500 

9,500 

9,500 

9.500 

9,500 

9.500 

9,500 

9..500 

9.500 

9,500 

9..500 

9..500 

9.5011 

9,. ".(10 

9..">00 

9.."'.00 

9,."i()(( 

9,.jOO 

9.500 

9,500 

2,400 

377 

234 

25 

100 

100 

504 

504 

504 

504 

504 

504 

504 

504 

27,500 

10,294 
10,294 
10,294 


44 


ROCK       I    S   L  A   X   D       A   R  S   E  N  A   L 


STORAGE  SPACE  AT  ROCK  ISLAND  ARSl'AWE— (Continued) 


Capa- 

city in 

nuiMiiit: 

Floor 

T\  pf 

of  Material 

Square 

Feet 

G-A 

^1 

Spare  parts  F.  \V.   I). 

1 

12,728 

1 

S   floors 
1st    floor 
liiid    floor 
;{ril    floor 

Spare   parts   F.    W.   1). 
Spare  parts  F.  \V.  I). 
Spare  parts  F.  \V.  1). 
Spare  parts  F.  W.   1). 

7.132 
7,132 
7,132 

K 

4   floors 
1st    floor 
2iul    tloor 
Srd    floor 
4tli    floor 

Uetnriied    flelil    stores 
Uetiuiieil  lield  stores 
Ketunit'd   (iidd  stores 
liotiiriied   lield  stores 
l{etiiriie((  tii'Id  stores 

15,075 
15,075 
15,075 
15,075 

K-A 

i-( 

lletliriied   field   stores 

14,650 

MA 

1 

Ueturned    field    stores 

33,230 

Shop  "A" 

4   floors 

Miscella  neons    material 

for 

manufac 

taring 

shops 

.J 

1st    floor 

Miseella neons    material 

lor 

maiuifat 

turiug 

sh 

jps 

43.701 

'Jin\    floor 

Miscellaneous    material 

lor 

mannfac 

turintr 

shops 

4."$,910 

:{r(l    floor 

Miseella  neons    material 

tor 

mannfaetnrinjjT 

sh 

ips 

.*}8.349 

4th    floor 

Miseella neons    material 

lor 

mMiHifa< 

tnrinjr 

sh 

>ps 

40.404 

Arsenal    Biiililiiijr 

4  floors 
1st    floor 
•Jii.l    n.Hir 
.-.rd    tl • 

Inert  storajre 
Inert    storajro 
Inert    sforajjre 
In<'rt    storajre 

0.500 
!»..">00 
!)..5()0 

4tli    tl.M.r 

IniTt    storajre 

0..500 

y' 


/I  r^N    "' 


Arsenal  cmiiliiyfs  partiripaling  in  Librrly  day  relebralion.  Nov.  11.  1'<IH. 


Expansion  of  Shop  Personnel 


N  the  13th  of  June.  1921,  the  President,  in  commenting  upon  the 
present  National  Defense  Law,  made  the  foUowing  statement: 
"Our  present  National  Defense  Law  establishes  an  economical  and 
democratic  military  policy  thoroughly  consistent  with  our  national 
traditions.  It  provides  for  a  small  regular  army,  to  be  augmented  by 
great  citizen  forces  in  the  event  of  national  emergency.  This  is  our  tradi- 
tional military  policy.  But,  whereas  in  the  past  these  larger  war  forces  have 
been  extemporized  after  the  occurrence  of  an  emergency,  the  new  law  wisely 
provides  that  the  frame  work  of  their  organization  shall  be  established 
and  developed  in  time  of  peace,  in  so  far  as  this  is  practicable,  through  the 
voluntary  services  of  patriotic  young  men.  The  Army  of  the  United 
States,  as  defined  in  the  new  law,  comprises  the  Regular  Army,  the  National 
Guard  and  the  Organized  Reserves.  Every  patriotic  citizen  should  en- 
courage the  de\elopment  of  these  forces,  each  within  its  proper  sphere." 

In  line  with  the  policy  expressed  above,  the  Arsenals  of  the  United 
States,  whose  function  is  the  creating  of  war  material,  should  in  time  of 
peace  likewise  be  developed,  in  order  that  they  may  be  prepared  to  meet  the 
emergencies  of  war.  That  this  doctrine  of  development  has  been  pursued, 
is  evidenced  in  the  steady  growth  of  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal.  In  the 
years  immediately  preceding  the  Spanish-American  War  some  manufactur- 
ing was  done,  but  it  was  small  in  amount  and  the  manufacturing  plant  was 
of  limited  capacity. 

In  the  emergency  incident  to  the  outbreak  of  war  with  Spain  the 
necessity  for  increasing  output  at  once  became  apparent,  and  every  energy 
was  strained  to  satisfy  the  demand.  The  plant  was  largely  increased  at  that 
time,  but  arrangements  were  not  entirely  satisfactory,  and  at  the  close  of 
hostilities  a  well-considered  i)lan  for  the  development  and  expansion  of 
the  manufacturing  plant  was  laid  down.  At  that  time  only  two  of  the 
ten  great  shops  in  the  Armory  and  Arsenal  rows  were  utilized  for  manufac- 
turing purposes.  Under  the  plan  of  development  which  followed  in  later 
years  seven  of  the  ten  shops  were,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  World  War,  fully 
equipped  with  machinery  and  apparatus. 

Recent  strides  in  further  expansion  of  facilities  of  the  plant  evidenced 
the  perpetuation  of  the  adopted  policy  of  development,  and  today  the  plant 
as  it  stands  represents  a  permanent  national   investment. 

Of  no  less  importance  in  the  scheme  of  plant  development  is  that  of  the 
expansion  of  the  Arsenal  working  force.  It  has  been  the  practice  of  the 
past,  at  the  outbreak  of  war,  to  expand  the  small   peace-time  organization 


46 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


into  that  of  a  great  non-professional  war-time  producing  unit.  The  situa- 
tion presented  by  the  World  War  is  recent  enough  to  permit  this  expansion 
being  visualized,  but  in  order  that  this  conception  may  be  more  clearly 
developed,  a  statement  concerning  the  civilian  personnel  will  not  be  amiss. 

The  manufacturing  work  in  the  shops  is  in  charge  and  under  the  control 
of  officers  who  are  specially  educated  and  trained  for  such  duty.  The  work 
is  carried  on  by  civilian  employees  recruited  from  residents  in  the  neigh- 
boring cities  of  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  Rock  Island  and  Moline.  Illinois. 
These  employees  are  selected  men  ;  are  protected  in  the  permanency  of  their 
employment  by  the  Civil  Service  laws,  and  are  uncjuestionably  unequalled 
by  any  body  of  men  to  be  found  in  similar  vocations.  But  few  industrial 
concerns  in  the  country  manufacture  at  a  single  establishment   the  variety 


1 


W  omen  workers  in  the  elolh  ilepartmenl,  photographed  shortly  before  the  Armistice  was  signed. 


of  articles  which  the  Arsenal  is  called  upon  ttj  produce,  and  in  few  plants 
can  be  found  vocations  of  so  diversified  a  nature.  Under  (iovernment  em- 
ployment they  have  the  benefit  of  clean,  well  lighted,  well  heated  and  com- 
modious shops,  with  all  sanitary  conveniences.  Tliey  have  Saturday  half- 
holiday,  with  pay.  in  the  summer  months.  They  have  thirty  working  days' 
leave,  with  ])ay.  each  year,  and  when  disabled  for  more  than  thirty  days, 
through  injury  received  in  the  course  of  em]:)loyment.  are  granted  full  pay 
for  the  time  absent  from  work  on  account  of  such  injury;  if  in  the  classified 
service,  they  are  jjensioned  on  arriving  at  retirement  age.  provided  they 
have  a  maximum  of  fifteen  years'  service  to  their  credit.  The  rule  of  the 
Government  is  to  pay  the  same  hourly  rate  of  wage  as  that  which  prevails 
in  the  vicinity  for  similar  work. 

Surely  the  conditions  surrounding  the  employees  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal, 
in  respect  to  conveniences,  conditions  of  work,  leave  ^privileges,  compensa- 
tion for  injury  and  rate  of  wages,  cannot  be  equalled  by  that  of  any  other 
body  of  men  in  the  vicinity.  That  these  circumstances  are  appreciated,  is 
indicated  by  the  large  number  of  em])loyees  of  long  service  included  in 
the  file  of  its  workers.  A  large  number  have  records  of  from  twenty-five 
to  thirty  years,  and   the  larger   proportion  of   employees   have   been  at   the 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


47 


Arsenal  ten  years  or  more.  Records  of  long  and  steady  employment  speak 
more  for  working  conditions  and  contentment  than  pages  of  argument 
could  do. 

^Vhile  the  conditions  cited  redound  to  the  benefit  of  the  employees, 
the  Government,  in  turn,  benefits  through  the  morale  of  the  organization 
which  such  conditions  engender.  Continuity  of  employment  makes  toward 
perfection  of  workers  in  the  line  of  their  endeavor.  Through  close  and  long 
association  in  the  manufacture  of  ordnance  they  become  skilled  in  the  art 
of  its  specialized  manufacture  and  acquire  a  technique  of  inestimable  value 
as  a  factor  in  increased  production.  This  is  especially  true  in  the  manu- 
facture of   small  arms.     Recognition  of  this  fact  by  the  ()rdnance   Depart- 


1 

_ 

■   »?^^   c-  \ 

V 

M 

^5o  ■■  ^.Bl 

Jifl 

k 

ll^^Bwi, 

dMS 

lE3HlK9ii9liaSl 

R^H 

M 

^H 

^1 

1 

1 

.\  [ 

i 

-^^ 

c-^ 

1 

m 

Of  course  the  Arsenal  workers  had  a  band,  and  it  was  a  good  i 


ment  can  lie  found  at  the  time  the  manufacture  of  small  arms  was 
first  undertaken  at  Rock  Lsland  Arsenal.  Workmen  skilled  in  the 
manufacture  of  the  rifle,  to  the  number  of  three  hundred,  were  trans- 
ferred from  Springfield  Armory  at  the  expense  of  the  Government  to  in- 
augurate the  work  of  rifle  manufacture  at  this  Arsenal  and  to  school 
new  employees  in  the  manufacturing  processes  in  connection  there- 
with, owing"  to  the  dearth  of  skill  at  the  Arsenal  in  this  line  of  manufacture. 

In  a  large  sense  this  is  the  duty  which  devolves  upon  the  nucleus  of 
the  peace-time  organization  of  the  Arsenal  when  war  is  imminent,  and  this 
process  of  expansion,  carried  on  at  the  outbreak  of  the  late  war,  enabled 
Rock  Island  Arsenal  to  quickly  attain  a  maximum  production  to  meet  the 
demands  of  the  army  in  the  field.  The  force,  which  consisted  of  approxi- 
mately three  thousand  employees  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  was  expanded 
to  a  force  numbering  approximately  fourteen  thousand.  This  expansion, 
although  gradual,  covered,  in  reality,  a  remarkably  short  period  of  time. 
The  responsibility  rested  upon  the  Employment  Department  to  determine, 
from  statements  of  capabilities  of  applicants  having  no  well  defined  trade, 


48 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


such  as  machinist,  carpenter,  etc..  the  particular  duty  for  wliich  the  pros- 
pective employee  was  best  adapted;  after  selection,  appointment  and  actual 
trial  in  the  shops,  it  oft-times  developed  that  employees  possessed  capa- 
bilities which  justified  their  selection  for  other  and  perhaps  more  important 
work,  differin^:^  widely  from  that  for  which  they  were  originally  selected. 
The  duty  of  imparting  to  the  inexperienced  the  knowledge  of  shop  practice 
that  enabled  him  to  perform  efticiently  one  or  several  of  the  many  shop 
operations  with  which  charged,  and  the  co-ordinating  of  his  duties  into  that 
of  a  well-organized  prt>ducing  unit,  was  the  task  which  fell  to  the  more 
experienced  employee  of  the  Arsenal  peace-time  force. 

No  less  complex  in  its  nature  was  the  problem  of  demobilization  of  the 
vast  working  army  upon  cessation  of  hostilities.  Many  workers  who.  at  the 
outbreak  of  the  war.  prompted  solely  by  the  sjjirit  of  loyalty,  had  left  their 
regular  lines  of  emi)h)yment  to  assist  in  the  ))ro(luctiiin  campaign  at  the 
Arsenal,  returned  to  their  chosen  vocations  upon  the  signing  of  the  Armistice. 
In  the  process  of  elimination  of  those  that  remained,  the  more  efticient  were 
retained,  '('he  gradual  rcsuni])ti(in  of  peace-time  manufacture  and  produc- 
tion required,  naturally,  very  heavy  reductions  to  bring  the  working  force 
within  the  proj^ortions  allowed  the  Arsenal  under  its  reduced  ap])roj)ria- 
tions.  In  making  these  reductions  the  established  policy  of  the  War  De- 
partment was  followed,  and  all  reductions  were  based  on  etiiciency.  con- 
sideration, however,  being  given  those  of  the  force  whose  military  service 
entitled  them  to  preference. 


Interior  of  machine  shop. 


Military  Personnel 


ROM  a  small  and  comparatively  unknown  military  post  a  few  years 
ago,  Rock  Island  Arsenal  has  come  to  be  recognized  all  over  the 
country  as  one  of  the  leading  Government  posts.  A  large  military 
personnel  is  unnecessary,  because  of  the  isolated  position  and 
natural  topographical  advantages. 

At  the  beginning  of  hostilities  in  1917  the  post  had  ten  officers  and 
an  ordnance  detachment  of  89  enlisted  men,  six  enlisted  men  in  the  Medical 
Department  and  three  enlisted  men  in  the  Quartermaster's  Corps.  This  force 
was  gradually  increased  by  authorization  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  until 
at  the  conclusion  of  the  fighting  in  Europe  there  were  76  ordnance  officers 
and  169  enlisted  men.  In  addition,  there  were  six  medical  officers,  with  a 
detachment  of  45  enlisted  men,  and  three  officers  of  the  Quartermaster's 
Corps,  with  48  enlisted  men. 

The  following  is  the  roster  of  officers  stationed  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal 
for  duty  at  the  date  of  the  signing  of  the  Armistice: 

ORDNANCE  DEPARTMENT 

Colonel  LeRoy  T.  Ilillman  (Commanding  (Jfficer.) 

Lieutenant-Colonels   Lloyd  G.   McCrum,    Emil   Tyden. 

Majors  Horace  C.  Sykes,  Robert  L.  Messimer,  Thomas  Kirk,  Rupert 
L.  Penny,  Robert  L.  Streeter,  C.  K.  Boettcher,  Lorenze  B.  Somerby, 
Milton  D.  Campbell. 

Captains  Henry  A.  Brown,  Charles  G.  Kaelin,  Hammond  W.  Whitsitt, 
Albert  R.  Chandler,  Ernest  M.  Gross,  \\'illiam  G.  Noth,  Francis  H.  French, 
Max  Steinhauer,  Francis  S.  Day,  Norman  B.  Scott,  Richard  S.-  Hosford, 
John  J.  Berry,  Charles  A.  Barton,  John  B.  Thompson,  Robert  H.  Fulton,  Jr., 
Newman  M.  Marsillius,  Ernest  Mosman.  \'ictor  A.  Stibolt,  Harry  B.  Knowl- 
ton,  Clifi:'ord  B.  Langstroth,  Joseph  S.  Stringham,  S.  W.  Burford,  Walter 
C.  Hull,  Louis  Carson,  Leo.  C.  Smith. 

First  Lieutenants  Charles  P.  Tymeson,  M.  M.  Smith,  G.  Jules  Polhemus, 
Hulbert  D.  Bassett,  Edgar  M.  Webb,  William  D.  Lacey,  Clarence  F.  MacKay, 
Elmer  L.  Kyle,  Sam  Lewis,  Robert  G.  Meyler,  John  O.  Powell,  Edward  C. 
Blackwood,  Charles  P.  Skinner,  W.  A.  Gately,  J.  Reed  Lane,  Urban  J. 
Rockcastle,  Robert  C.  Black,  Robert  C.  Mitchell,  Charles  H.  Tharp,  Albert 
W.  Davis,  Robert  F.  Peelle,  John  M.  Metzger,  Edward  R.  Kent.  E.  S. 
Russell,  P.  R.  L.  Hogner. 


50 


R 


()  C   K       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


r^f 


Col.  Lerov  T.  Hillman.  deceased.  Commandant  at  the  time  of  the 
signing  of  the  Armistice. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


51 


Second  Lieutenants  Frank  J.  Vonachen,  Herman  J.  Hutkin.  Walter 
Latt,  Donald  F.  Smith.  Charles  R.  Martin,  H.  S.  Francis,  G.  C.  Jefferson, 
C.  J.  Rafinski.  Philip  N.  Wright,  Paul  Keachie,  Harry  A.  Wilson,  E.  S. 
Higginbotham. 

MEDICAL  DEPARTMENT 

Major  Chester  H.  Clark. 

Captains  George  G.  Parlow,  Elbert  E.  Cone,  Walter  E.  Hunt,  Fred 
F.  Sprague. 

First  Lieutenants  U.  S.  Boyer.  Otto  Kolar   (Dental). 

QUARTERMASTER  CORPS 

Captain  James  L.  Cireene. 

Second  Lieutenants  Clifford  Martin.  Thomas  F.  Drummy. 

ATTACHED 

First  Lieutenant  E.  C.  Wright.  Philippine  Scouts   (Retired) 

Local  interest  attaches  to  the  fact  that  in  addition  to  those  residents 
of  the  Tri-Cities  whose  names  appear  among  those  listed  above  as  serving 
at  the  Arsenal  at  the  time  of  the  signing  of  the  Armistice,  the  following 
officers,  commissioned  from  civil  life  either  during  the  earlier  stages  of  the 
Avar  or  while  undergoing  a  course  of  instruction  preparatory  to  overseas 
duty,  were  stationed  at  the  Arsenal : 

Major  Ordnance  Reserve  Corps — Alfred  LaMar. 

Captains  Ordnance  Reserve  Corps — A.  D.  Ficke,  R.  A.  Gregory.  J.  M. 
Hassett,  Harry  Hoisington,  W.  J.  Larson,  A.  W.  Mitchell.  Leon  Mitchell, 
H.  G.  Roberts,  O.  H.  Seiff'ert,  C.  F.  Skinner.  Wm.  B.  Spears,  George  \\'. 
Thompson,  J.  A.  Utts. 

First  Lieutenants  Ordnance  Reserve  Corps — G.  Decker  French,  E.  R. 
Guyer,  Emil  H.  Hass,  C.  E.  Pingle. 

Second   Lieutenant   Ordnance   Reserve   Corps — M.   K.AIcPhail. 


Troops  drawn  up  to  witness  presentation  of  faithful  service  badges  to  old  employes. 


Civilian  and  Military  Gnard 


DXR   of   the   most   striking   features   at    Rock    Island    Arsenal    during 
the    period    of    the    war    was    the    careful    and    et'ticient    manner    of 
guarding    the    government    property    by    means    of    both    ci\il    and 
%^iF     iii'l'tary  guards  on  and  about  the  Island. 

Trior  to  the  declaration  of  war  the  shop  guard  consisted  of  four 


civilian  guards  and  four  soldiers,  the  latter  members  of  the  permanent  ord- 
nance detachment  of  the  regular  army.  'I'hese  were  known  as  "key  men."  and 
reported  by  means  of  clocks  at  various  points  in  the  shops. 

Immediately   after   war   was    declared,   howexer.   means    were    taken    to 
protect   the   property  and   equipment,  and  a  high   wire   enclosure   was   built 


Ko,  k  K-lamI  Arsenal  Military  Drill  r<ir|.-. 


around  the  shops,  the  main  storehouses,  and  the  oil  houses.  Nine  more 
civilian  guards  were  employed  to  patrol  the  main  gates  and  the  west  railroad 
gate.  Admission  to  the  wire  enclosure  could  then  only  be  secured  by  the 
presentation  of  the  proper  pass. 


usLiLL. 

r^HoCBttEM'ft^f  " 

•^^^'.■*l   •^"^^■Ml^W^I^^WI  ^*^. 'i'    ■ 

Rock  Inland  Arsenal  Women  ^ 


i.orps. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


53 


At  the  time  the  gate  guards  were  employed,  sixteen  more  civilians  were 
placed  as  shop  guards  and  given  posts  around  the  shops  to  patrol.  A  sergeant 
of  the  ordnance  detachment  was  placed  in  charge  of  these  guards. 

In  March,  1917,  Companies  A  and  F,  6th  Illinois  Infantry,  were  ordered 
to  the  Arsenal  for  outside  guard  duty;  they  continued  to  guard  government 
property  until  Fel^ruary,  1918.  when  the  1st  Battalion  of  the  10th  United 
vStates    Infantry   was   assigned   to   this    duty    in   their   stead.     The   battalion 


Fire  fighting  force  assembled  before  headquarters. 


numbered  approximately  1,000  men  and  patrolled  all  the  Island  outside 
the  enclosure,  establishing  thirty-two  posts  where  a  sentry  was  on  duty  all 
the  time.  These  posts  included  the  pump  house,  railroad  bridges,  magazines, 
power  dam,  and  other  places  of  importance.  In  the  meantime,  many  other 
civilian  guards  and  members  of  the  ordnance  detachment  were  assigned  to 
escort  all  civilians  whose  business  required  their  presence  inside  the  en- 
closure, and  a  traffic  scjuad  was  organized  from  the  detachment  to  handle  the 
enormous  flow  of  pedestrians  and  vehicles  to  and  from  the  Island  in  the 
mornings  and  evenings. 


During  the  first  week  in  August,  1918,  the  Headquarters  5th  Batallion 
and  Companies  B,  C  and  D,  United  States  Guards,  relieved  the  Tenth  Infantry 
from  this  duty.     The  guards  comprised  twenty  officers  and  about  450  men. 


54 


R  n   C   K       1    S    L  A  N   D       A   R  S    I-:   N   A   L 


This  org^anizatioii  was  increased  later  liy  a  company  of  the  Twentieth  United 
States  Infantry. 

PR()Ti-:CTK)N  AGAlxXST   FIRK 

Prior  to  January  1.  1918,  the  fire  de])artment  at  the  Arsenal  was  entirely 
inadequate  for  the  protection  of  the  huge  amount  of  property  and  many 
buildings,  and  all  members  of  the  department  were  cixilian  employees  from 
the  shojjs,  under  the  direction  of  the  master  mechanic,  the  entire  personnel 
comprising  fi>rty  men.  On  January  1,  1918.  two  men  were  employed  as 
drivers  of  the  pumping  machine. 

About  April  1.  1918.  authorizatitui  was  given  for  the  reconstruction  of 
the  department,  and  an  exi)erienced  hreman  was  assigned  as  chief.  Twenty 
men  were  subsequently  employed.  The  double  platoon  system  was  placed  in 
effect,  and  a  full  equipment  of  the  most  modern  motorized  hre-hghting  ap- 
paratus replaced  the  obsolete  types  formerly  in  use.  A  high  pressure  water 
system  was  built  and  an  electric  alarm  system  installed.  Fortunately,  no 
serious  fires  occurred,  due  principally  to  the  propaganda  of  the  safety  de- 
partment and  constant  efforts  and  inspections  by  the  fire  marshal  and  chief. 


Chemical  Fire  Truck  ready  for  action. 


Post- War  Activities 


WORK  PERFORMED  BY  ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL  FOR  OTHER 
DEPARTMENTS    OF   THE    GOVERNMENT 

A  provision  in  the  Act  of  July  11,  1919  (PiU)lic  No.  7,  G6th  Congress),  reads  as  follows: 
"That  no  part  of  the  moneys  appropriated  in  each  or  any  section  of  this  Act  shall  be 
used  or  expended  for  the  purchase  or  acquirement  of  any  article  or  articles  that  at  the 
time  of  the  proposed  acquirements  can  he  manufactured  or  produced  in  each  or  any  of  the 
Government  Arsenals  of  the  United  States  for  a  sum  less  than  they  can  be  purchased  or 
produced  otherwise." 


HE  purpose  of  the  inclusion  of  the  abo\e  provision  in  legislation 
was  to  provide  for  placing  with  the  Ordnance  Department  orders 
for  supplies  by  the  Supply  Bureaus  concerned  which  could  be 
manufactured  by  Arsenals  cheaper  or  to  better  advantage  than  they 
could  be  procured  from  other  sources.  Prior  to  its  adoption 
the  large,  spacious  shops  of  the  Arsenal,  with  their  machines  and  shop 
appliances  and  facilities  capable  of  producing  work  more  diversified  in 
character  than  that  of  any  other  government  Arsenal,  had  been  utilized 
almost  exclusively  in  the  manufacture  of  ordnance  with  the  procurement 
of  which  the   ( )rdnance  Department  was   charged. 

In  order  to  accomplish  the  ol)ject  of  the  above  Act,  and  to  co-ordinate 
the  work  between  the  (Ordnance  Department  and  the  bureaus  concerned, 
there  was  estal^lished  in  the  office  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance  an  Arsenal 
Orders  Branch,  through  which  medium  the  Arsenal  receives  information  and 
data  concerning  the  requirements  of  other  bureaus  and  has  opportunity  to  sub- 
mit quotations  on  articles  for  which  inquiries  are  sent  out.  Bids  sub- 
mitted in  answer  are  assured  the  same  consideration  as  to  price  and  time  of 
delivery  as  are  those  from  other  bidders. 

The  Arsenal  has  received  92  orders  as  a  result  of  bids,  72  from  the 
Ordnance  Department  and  20  from  other  departments.  Of  the  circulars 
received,  over  90  were  returned  on  which  no  quotations  were  submitted, 
due  to  the  fact  that  in  many  cases  they  called  for  small  quantities  of  items 
of  commercial  manufacture  for  which  it  would  have  been  hopeless  for  the 
Arsenal  to  attempt  to  compete,  as  they  were  items  included  in  the  regular 
output  of  commercial   plants. 

The  diversified  nature  of  the  work  which  the  orders  involved  will  be 
noted  from  the  statement  that  the  work  performed  covered  torpedo  parts  and 
forgings  for  combustion  flasks  for  naval  torpedo  stations,  Bebout  weirs  for 
use  on  the  Ohio  river  dam,  emergency  gates  for  the  United  States  Engineer 
Department,  bomb  racks  and  demolition  bombs  for  the  Air  Service,  and 
mail  bags  and  straps  for  the  Post  Office  Department. 

The  Arsenal,  however,  under  instructions  from  the  War  Department, 
must  confine   its  operations   to  manufactures   for  which   its   machinery  and 


56  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

equipment  is  adapted,  and  is  not  permitted  to  acquire  additional  machinery 
for  the  purpose  of  further  invading  the  commercial  field. 

The  production  attained  at  the  various  Arsenals  and  by  the  industrial 
plants  throughout  the  country  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  munitions 
of  war  naturally  found  the  government,  upon  cessation  of  hostilities,  with 
vast  quantities  of  ordnance  stores  of  every  description,  both  in  finished 
and  partly  finished  state,  on  hand,  together  with  large  quantities  of  com- 
ponents. 

The  most  serious  handicap  in  the  manufacture  by  private  concerns  of 
war  munitions  in  the  World  War  was  their  unfamiliarity  with  the  highly 
specialized  business  of  manufacturing  munitions,  and  if  the  Arsenal  is  to 
develop  in  times  of  peace  the  technique  acquired  through  developing  types 
of  weapons,  it  is  essential  that  it  be  given  orders  sulticient  to  maintain  its 
organization  to  meet  this  end. 

The  estimating  section  of  the  Arsenal  during  the  fiscal  year  ending 
June  30,  1921,  submitted  through  the  channel  mentioned  above,  and  other 
government  departments,  approximately  300  estimates  or  bids.  A  list  is 
given  below  of  the  different  departments,  with  number  submitted  in  each 
case,  for  which  estimates  were  made : 

Ordnance    Department 174 

Navy  Department 18 

Treasury    Department 1 

Post  Ofiice  Department 8 

Railroad  Administration 1 

Panama  Canal 1 

Geological  Survey 3 

Lighthouse   Service 3 

Engineer  Corps 18 

Interior  Department 18 

Signal  Corps 4 

Agricultural  Department 1 

Land  Office 1 

Air  Service 9 

Government  Printing  ( )ffice 1 

Quartermaster    Department 9 

THE  MARK  \"III  TANK 

\\'hen.  in  the  spring  of  1919.  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal  received  an  order 
to  assemble  100  Mark  \'III  tanks,  it  was  not  only  the  largest  order  ever 
received  in  the  history  of  the  .-\rsenal.  but  it  involved  the  most  new  problems. 

Practically  all  of  the  components  of  the  tank  required  in  the  assembly 
were  shipped  to  the  Arsenal.  The  principal  parts  consisted  of  the  heavy 
structural  pieces — i.  e.  armor  plate,  angle  iron,  steel  girders  and  channels, 
together  with  a  large  quantity  of  equipment,  such  as  tools.  Hotchkiss  guns, 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


57 


camouflage  nets,  water  cans,  bird  cages,  food  cans,  telescopes,  periscopes, 
festoon  lamps,  semaphores  and  various  other  sundries  purchased  from  the 
British  Government.  The  balance  of  the  required  material  was  manufac- 
tured by  various  outside  contractors  in  the  United  States,  and  included 
Liberty  motors,  transmissions,  compound  clutches,  petrol  tanks,  radiators, 
electrical  equipment,  and  front  control  units. 

Construction  on  the  first  of  these  tanks  was  started  July  1,  1919,  and 
the  last  tank  was  completed  and  ready  for  road  test  June  5,  1920.  making  a 
total  of  286  days  to  complete  the  100  tanks. 

The  Mark  VIII  tank  is  a  fighting  tank  weighing  about  40  tons  when 
fully  equipped  and   manned.     It  carries   a  complement  of   eight  men — one 


The  Mark  \III  tank.     Th.-  i.j.Kr  !■.  a-.-.Tiil.l'-  on.-  Iiuri.lii-<1  of  thcs*-  ponil(>roiis  fightiiij!;  machines,  received  in  the  spring 
of  1919,  was  the  largest  ever  undertaken  at  the  Arsenal.     The  task  was  completed  in  286  days. 


in  the  engine  room  and  seven  in  the  fighting  compartment.  The  seven  men 
consist  of  the  officer  in  command,  the  driver  and  five  gunners,  two  of  the 
gunners  manning  the  6-pounder  Hotchkiss  guns  and  three  the  Browning 
machine  guns.  Storage  capacity  is  provided  for  200  rounds  of  6-pounder 
ammunition  and  20,000  rounds  of  calibre  30  ammunition. 


IMPROVEMENT  OF  GROUNDS 

During  the  period  of  the  war  only  such  repairs  to  the  roads  had  been 
made  and  labor  in  the  upkeep  of  the  grounds  expended  as  was  found  to  be 
absolutely  necessary.  The  activities  carried  on  in  connection  with  the 
Arsenal's  construction  projects  had  left  the  grounds  adjacent  to  many  of 
the  new  buildings  in  an  unsightly  condition.  The  vast  quantities  of  war 
material  turned  in  from  the  field  and  from  abandoned  plants  had.  because  of 
lack  of  covered  storage  space,  to  be  piled  in  the  open  in  scattered  areas 
about  the  Arsenal. 

The  clearing  of  these  sites,  the  disposing  of  the  serviceable  and  un- 
serviceable material;  the  construction  of  new  roads  and  drives;  the  repairing 
and  resurfacing  of  many  of  the  permanent  roads  (the  most  notable  of  which 
was  that  of  Main  avenue  from  the  main  gate  to  West  avenue)  ;  the  removal 
of  the  flagstaff,  formerly  occupying  the  center  of  Main  avenue  at  its  junc- 
ture with  West  avenue,  to  its  present  location  in  front  of  the  Administra- 


58 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSE  N  A   L 


tion  building.  I)ut  out  of  the  line  of  traffic ;  the  replacing  by  monolithic  walks 
of  many  of  the  earlier  types  of  flagstone  walks,  which  had  become  broken 
and  sunken;  the  planting  of  trees  and  shrubs;  the  laying  out  of  a  j)ark  for 
the  recreation  of  Arsenal  employees;  the  extension  of  the  exterior  lighting 
of  roads  and  buildings,  including  the  placing  of  lights  on  the  clock  tower 
of  the  old  Arsenal  building  at  the  lower  extremity  of  the  Island,  and  many 
other  improvements  have  since  been  completed  to  restore  the  Island  to  its 
former  beauty. 

With  the  advent  of  war.  precautionary  measures  which  the  government 
was  obliged  to  take  with  resjject  to  protection  of  its  ])lant  and  propertv.  to 


J..:.....  ,.. 


the  end  that  its  capacity  to  i)ro(luce  fighting  material  might  not  be  curtailed, 
compelled  the  AX'ar  Department  to  close  the  Arsenal  to  visitors,  and  where 
heretofore  general  admission  to  holders  of  passes  had  been  granted  to  visit 
the  Island,  it  became  necessary  to  revoke  the  privilege  and  limit  the  admis- 
sion to  those  only  having  business  on  the  Island;  the  shops  and  that  area 
of  the  Island  which  was  given  over  to  manufacturing  purposes  was  enclosed 
in  a  high  non-climbable  wire  fence,  and  the  regulations  with  respect  to  ad- 
mission within  this  enclosure  were  rigidly  enforced.  \\  ith  the  signing  of 
the  Armistice  the  restriction  with  resj)ect  to  passes  imposed  as  a  result  of 
the  war  were  remcjved  ;  and  while  at  this  government  ])ost  strict  regulations 
are  necessarily  enforced,  passes  are  generally  issued  to  residents  and  visitors 
to  the  Tri-Cities  who  a])ply  for  same  and  who  may  desire  to  avail  themselves 
of  the  privilege. 


Savanna  Provinp;  Ground 


HE  purchase  of  approximately  13,000  acres  of  land  for  a  proving 
ground  near  Savanna,  Illinois,  was  made  possible  under  an  appro- 
priation of  $1,500,000  authorized  by  an  Act  of  Congress  on  June  12, 
1917,  and  work  on  this  valuable  adjunct  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal 
was  pushed  early  after  the  United  States  entered  the  World  War. 


It  was  contemplated  that  this  tract  be  used  for  proof-firing  gun  car- 
riages manufactured  at  the  Arsenal,  some  sixty  miles  distant,  but  upon  the 
signing  of  the  Armistice,  immediate  need  for  gun  carriages  having  ceased, 
the  Savanna  project  was  used  as  a  storage  depot  for  the  vast  quantities  of 
ordnance  stores  manufactured  at  the  Arsenal  during  the  war. 

In  the  purchase  of  the  Sa\anna  lands,  the  United  States  had  the  services 
of  Hugh  E.  Curtis,  of  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  and  others,  through  whom 
options   were   secured    from    the   owners,   and   the   sales   were   consummated 


Tractors  and  tanks  in  field  awaiting  permanent  storage.     This  picture,  taken  in  June,  1919,  shows  but  a  small 
part  of  the  equipment  brought  to  Savanna  after  the  war. 


upon  acceptance  by  the  government.  Out  of  a  total  of  13,146  acres,  costing 
$890,209.15,  only  320  acres  were  purchased  direct  by  the  government,  and 
condemnation  proceedings  w^ere  necessary  in  the  acquirement  of  ten  acres 
that  could  pot  be  obtained  in  any  other  way. 

After  the  Savanna  land  purchase  there  remained  from  the  appropriation 
made  by  Congress  approximately  $600,000,  and  this  was  expended  in  con- 
structing necessary  quarters,  barracks,  firing  points,  power  house,  store- 
houses, roads,  and  sewage  system. 


60 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


It  will  be  realized  to  what  extent  the  Savanna  site  was  used  for  a  storage 
depot  from  the  statement  that  at  the  heo:inning  ^f  the  fiscal  year  1920 
artillery  material  was  beiny;  received  at  llie  rale  of  forty  carloads  a  day. 
No  covered  storage  was  available,  and  the  material  was  parked  in  the  open, 
there  being  something  like  fifteen  acres  of  this  on  hand  July  1,  1920.  To 
care  for  the  material  it  was  necessary  to  construct  forty  storehouses,  each 
96  bv  400  feet,  to  house  artillery  and  tractors. 


Quarters  of  Commanding  Officer  at  Savanna  proving  ground. 


War  With  Spain 


N  1898  Rock  Island  Arsenal  had  its  first  real  test,  and  it  was  not 
found  wanting.  At  the  outl:)reak  of  the  AVar  with  Spain,  in  April 
of  that  year,  the  extent  of  the  country's  unpreparedness  may  be 
judged  by  the  fact  that  this  Arsenal,  though  employing  only  500  men 
and  having  less  than  one-fifth  of  its  shop  floor  space  utilized  for 
manufacturing  i)urposes,  yet  was  first  of  all  the  arsenals  of  the  country  in 
size,  number  of  employees,  variety  of  work  performed,  amount  of  output 
and  monthly  payroll.  Inevitably,  then,  upon  this  Arsenal  fell  a  proportion- 
ately large  share  of  the  work  of  equipping  the  suddenly  augmented  fighting 
forces  of  the  nation. 

Rock  Island  Arsenal,  fully  outfitted  with  machinery  and  completely 
manned,  it  had  been  estimated,  should  be  able  to  equip  and  maintain  an 
army  of  750,000  men,  but  the  spring  of  1898  found  it  with  a  capacity  of  not 
more  than  one-fifth  of  its  estimated  maximum  output.  Congress  had  not 
appropriated  sufficient  funds  to  place  it  in  a  state  of  readiness  for  such  an 
emergency.  Nevertheless,  it  did  not  fail  to  do  all  and  more  than  was  ex- 
pected of   it. 

The  plant,  which  up  to  that  time  had  been  large  enough  merely  to 
supply  the  small  army  maintained  in  time  of  ])eace,  quickly  expanded  to 
meet  the  increased  demands  occasioned  by  the  rapid  growth  of  the  military 
forces.  Additional  machines  were  installed  wdiere  possible,  and  where 
hand  labor  only  was  involved  in  the  shop  operations  the  great  floor  space 
available  in  the  vacant  buildings  was  promptly  filled.  There  was  no  time, 
and,  indeed,  there  was  no  need  for  further  shop  or  storehouse  construction. 
In  six  months  the  crisis  was  passed. 

The  number  of  employees,  which  on  March  1,  1898,  numbered  less  than 
500,  quickly  increased  until  a  maximum  force  of  approximately  3,000  was 
attained,  with  an  expenditure  of  $175,000  per  month  in  wages. 

The  old  shop  and  oftice  forces  were  made  the  nucleus  of  the  larger 
organization,  thdse  especially  fitted  for  leadership  being  advanced  to  more 
responsible  positions  and  given  the  task  of  organizing  and  training  the 
inexperienced  help  taken  on  in  such  large  numbers. 

The  extent  to  which  the  Arsenal  was  developed  to  meet  the  emergency 
then  existing  may  be  realized  by  stating  that  the  department  producing  the 
cloth  equipment,  which,  before  the  Spanish-American  War,  operated  but 
fifteen  machines,  was  expanded  until  sixty  machines  were  used  to  turn  out 
the  product.  The  shop  which  at  its  maximum  was  producing  before  the  war 
300  tin  cups  and  125  meat  cans  per  day,  and  in  which  no  facilities  for  the 


62 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


manufacture  of   canteens   existed,   when    hnally    deNcloped,   was   capable   of 
Turning  out  3,000  tin  cups.  6.000  meat  cans,  and  4.000  canteens  per  day. 

All  shops  and  departments  were  expanded  in  like  proportion,  and 
although  the  force  was  operated  continuously  twenty-four  hours  per  day,  it 
was  necessary  to  augment  the  Arsenal's  output  l)y  purchases  from  private 
manufacturers  of  large  quantities  of  completed  articles  of  infantry,  cavalry 
and  horse  equipments,  delivered  in  finished  condition  ready  for  issue  to  the 


Interior  of  Wooilworking  Shop,  aliovc;  bi-low,  interior  of  Armon, . 


field.  With  the  procurement  of  these  articles,  entailing-  the  pre])aralinn  of 
specifications,  inviting  of  bids,  making  of  awards,  and  the  placing  of  the 
orders,  the  Arsenal  was  charged.  In  many  cases  the  contractor  performed 
only  one  certain  operation  in  connection  with  llie  C(ini])lete  ecjuipment.  such 
as  covering  with  leather  of  the  saddle  tree  and  the  wooden  stirrups,  the 
trees  and  stirrups  for  which  were  manufactured  and  furnished  the  contractor 
by  the  Arsenal. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  63 

As  was  the  case  later,  during  the  World  War,  the  Arsenal  found  much 
to  do  in  organizing  and  directing  private  manufacture  of  materials  needed 
by  the  army,  in  assembling  complete  sets  of  equipment  from  parts  obtained 
here  and  there  and  adding  the  final  touches  to  make  them  ready  for  use. 

Orders  for  large  quantities  of  raw  materials  were  placed,  as  the  limited 
capacity  of  the  Arsenal,  operating  on  a  peace-time  basis,  resulted  in  only 
.1  moderate  quantity  of  materials  for  orders  then  in  progress  being  on  hand. 
1  he  magnitude  to  which  the  purchases  grew  under  the  stimulus  of  war  to 
meet  shop  production  requirements  may  be  indicated  by  a  statement  of  the 
principal  articles  procured. 

These  included  351,400  yards  dyed  duck;  1,008,000  yards  cotton  webbing 
of  various  widths  for  haversacks  and  blanket  bags ;  654,000  pounds  tin  plate 
for  meat  cans,  tin  cups  and  canteens;  79,900  pounds  brass  wire;  89,500  pounds 
sheet  brass  for  Imckles,  rings  and  hooks;  984,000  feet  linen  rope  for  lariats; 
205,300  pounds  harness  leather  backs;  1,262,000  square  feet  collar,  bridle 
and  bag  leather  for  straps,  saddles,  saddle  bags  and  carbine  scabbards; 
116.200  pounds  copper;  1,161,900  pounds  steel  for  gun  carriages;  133,000 
feet  basswood  and  ash  for  saddle  trees;  and  690,000  feet  other  lumber  for 
ammunition  chests,  besides  many  thousand  ixninds  of  minor  articles. 

The  value  of  the  completed  articles  purchased  during  the  Spanish- 
American  war  aggregated  $331,262.33.  Some  of  the  principal  items  of 
equipment,  showing  the  proportion  in  which  they  were  manufactured  at 
the  Arsenal  and  the  quantities  which  were  acquired  l)y  purchase,  are  as 
follows  : 

Manufactured  at     Purchased  from 
Articles  The  Arsenal  Contractors 

Blanket   bags.. 36,190  30,521 

Blanket    bag   shoulder   straps,    pairs....  72,428       .  12,980 

Blanket  bag  coat  straps,  pairs 48,070  20,269 

Canteens 235.553  23,952 

Canteen  stra])s.  Infantry.. 95,671  105,059 

Gunslings    ..* 64.942  86,979 

Haversacks 80,588  61.878 

Haversack  straps 122,086  29,236 

Meat  cans. 208,841  29,206 

Tin    cups .......:.... 231,400  29,209 

Of  course  the  foregoing  talmlation  includes  l)Ut  a  small  fraction  of  the 
articles  manufactured,  purchased  and  assembled  here.  In  the  four  months 
from  April  15  to  August  15,  1898,  there  were  either  made  here  wdiolly  or 
partly,  or  received  from  contractors,  25  3.2-inch  breech  loading  rifles  and 
other  field  guns,  53  carriages  for  3  and  3.2-inch  guns.  210  limbers  for  the 
3.2  and   3.6-inch   gims.    120  caissons,  a   large   quantity   of   artillery   harness, 


64 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


saddles,   etc..   and    hundreds   of   thousands   of    miscellaneous    articles.      The 
Arsenal  was  the  largest  depot  of  issue  in  the  ccnmtry. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  with  Spain  this  country  was  far  behind  the 
times  in  much  of  its  military  equipment.  The  old  45-calibre  single  shot 
Springfield  rifle,  firing  with  black  [)owder.  but  little  better  than  the  weapons 
used  at  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  was  the  only  small  arm  available  for 
use  by  many  of  the  troops.  About  the  only  improvement  in  the  army 
uniform  made  since  the  60's  consisted  in  the  addition  of  the  campaign 
hat  and  leggings.  Our  forces  invaded  the  tropics  clad  in  the  regulation 
blue  wool  garments,  ill-fitting  and  as  uncomfortable  as  they  were  conspicuous 


Site  of  old  Fort  Armstrong,  looking  rlown  the  Misslsi^ij'i'i 


to  enemy  marksmen.  No  canteens  had  been  maile  since  the  Civil  War.  the 
surplus  left  after  that  conflict  being  repaired  and  recovered  as  needed. 
In  many  other  ways  the  equipment  was  far  out  of  date. 

The  Spanish  war  not  on!}-  stimulated  manufacture.  l)Ut  brought  about 
a  marked  change  in  tyi)e  of  most  army  goods,  which  led  to  a  permanent 
expansion  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal's  facilities  and  shop  forces.  Though 
the  war  of  1893  did  not  last  long,  it  brouglit  realization  of  the  advanced 
needs  of  the  nation  in  the  way  of  defenses  and  was  followed  bv  an  increase 
in  the  size  of  the  standing  army,  which  helped  to  insure  continued  activity 
at  this  Arsenal  on  a  scale  greater  than  that  which  had  prevailed  up  to  that 
time. 

Among  the  ])ermanent  imi)rovements  brought  about  at  once  were  the 
modernizing  of  the  water  power  plant  and  the  taking  of  steps  for  the  manu- 
facture of  small  arms.  During  the  Spanish  War,  rifles  were  cleaned,  re- 
paired and  issued,  but  none  were  made  here. 


ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL 


65 


Major  Blunt,  the  Commandant,  in  his  report  for  1893  praises  the  spirit 
of  the  shop  workers  during  that  year.  Referring  to  the  manner  in  which 
the  organization  was  expanded  he  said: 

"As  the  force  was  increased,  the  necessity  for  foremen  and  inspectors 
familiar  with  the  successive  operations  (for  there  was  no  time  to  teach  and 
develop  new  men)  grew  with  the  expansion  of  the  work.  They  were  found 
among  the  old  employees,  and  from  their  ranks  a  number  of  temporary 
appointments  to  these  positions  were  made.  They  proved  capable  and 
efficient,  and  when  necessary,  as  was  frequently  the  case,  worked  overtime 
with  entire  willingness  ;  in  fact,  the  spirit  they  displayed  permeated,  with 
very  few  exceptions,  the  entire  force,  the  men  being  apparently  animated 
by  the  desire  to  observe  the  shop  rules  and  regulations  to  the  best  of  their 
ability  and  to  render  all  possible  assistance  to  the  government  in  the  exist- 
ing emergency." 

That  work  turned  out  at  the  Arsenal  was  superior  to  that  made  in 
private  plants,  and  produced  at  a  lower  cost,  is  emphasized  : 

"While  fairly  favorable  prices  were  obtained  for  the  $L110,0(X)  worth 
of  finished  articles  of  ordnance  stores  procured  under  contracts,  yet  in  all 
cases  they  exceeded,  in  some  instances  considerably  so,  the  cost  at  which 
similar  stores  were  at  the  same  time  being  turned  out  at  the  Arsenal.  *  *  * 
It  must  also  be  remembered  that  the  articles  obtained  by  purchase,  especially 
at  such  a  period,  as  unquestionably  has  been  the  case  with  most  of  those 
recently  procured  under  contracts,  are  often  inferior,  both  in  material  and 
workmanship,  to  those  procured  in  the  government  shops.  This  fact  was 
universally  admitted  l:)y  all  the  contractors  who  visited  this  Arsenal  during 
the  last  few  months  and  examined  the  work  in  progress." 


Rock  Island  Arsenal  Golf  Club,  maintained  by  civilian  members  from  surrounding  cities,  but  under  control  of  Commandant, 
who  is  ex-officio  president  of  the  organization. 


66 


RUCK       IS   L  A  X   D       A   R  S   E   X  A   L 


Fort  Armstrong 


By  JOHN  H.  HAUBURG 


O  fort  gave  a  greater  sense  of  security  to  the  pioneers  of  the  Illinois 
Territory  than  did  old  Fort  Armstrong.  For  decades  the  Indians 
of  the  Upper  Mississippi  had  been  in  the  habit  of  uniting  their 
forces  against  their  white  brethren.  Together  they  shared  the 
honors  at  Braddock's  defeat  during  the  French  and  Indian  War, 
and  again  they  were  united  in  Pontiac's  War.  The  seizure  of  the  Illinois 
country  by  General  George  Rogers  Clark  in  1778  was  a  challenge  to  the 
warriors,  under  British  control,  from  Rock  River  to  Lake  Superior  and 
from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  St.  Peter's  river  in  Minnesota.  In  1779,  and 
again  in  1780,  there  were  fighting  expeditions  descending  the  Mississippi 
past  Rock  Island  l)ent  on  the  re-conciuest  of  Illinois  from  the  Americans, 
and  among  them  l)raves  from  the  k)cal  villages  of  the  united  Sauks  and 
Foxes. 

When  the  War  of  1812-T4  came  on,  Territorial  Governor  Ninian  h2d\vards 
wrote:  'T  believe  there  is  a  universal  combination  among  the  Indians. 
Independent  of  the  Indians  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  300  lodges  of  Sioux 
on  the  Wisconsin,  we  may  certainly  count  on  4,400  who  can  reach  the  settle- 
ments on  the  Mississippi  in  six  or  eight  days,  and  come  all  the  v\'ay  by 
water.     Our  danger,  therefore,  is  xevy  evident." 

The  settlements  of  the  pioneers  at  that  time  were  mostly  near  the 
Mississippi,  and  nearly  all  south  of  a  line  drawn  eastward  from  where  Alton, 
Illinois,  is  now.  North  of  this  line  was  the  wilderness,  from  which  came 
Indian  bands  creeping  upon  the  settlers  by  stealth  and  leaving  a  trail  of 
blood.  In  1813  Governor  Edwards  wrote:  "The  savages  have  already 
committed  murders  within  the  bounds  of  every  regiment  in  this  (Illinois) 
territory." 

In  1814  the  government  took  aggressive  action  against  the  Indians  of 
this  vicinity.  Governor  William  Clark,  of  Mississippi  Territory,  headed  an 
expedition  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  W^isconsin.  His  first  trouble  came  as  he 
reached  Rock  Island,  where  he  was  attacked  by  the  united  Sauk  and  Fox. 
This  was  in  the  month  of  May.  In  July  of  the  same  year  Lieutenant  John 
Campbell  was  attacked  at  Campbell's  Island,  a  few  miles  above  Rock  Island, 
and  after  a  hard  fought  battle  was  defeated  by  Black  Hawk's  warriors. 
Early  in  September  the  same  year  an  expedition  under  Major  Zachary 
Taylor  came  up  stream  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  Black  Hawk's  village 
and  corn  fields  and  to  select  a  site  for  a  fort.  Major  Taylor  was  decisively 
defeated  by  British  artillerists  and  overwhelming  numbers  of  Indians  of 
the  allied  tribes  at  Credit  Island,  in  plain  sight  of  Rock  Island. 

Peace  was  signed  as  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  in 
December,    1814,    but    the    Indians    continued    their    depredations    upon    the 


68 


ROCK       ISLAND      ARSENAL 


settlers  to  the  south,  and  so,  in  1815,  the  8th  U.  S.  regiment  was  dispatched 
to  Rock  Island  to  build  a  fort.  On  account  of  certain  hindrances,  they  did 
not  arrive  at  Rock  Island  until  May  10,  1816,  at  which  time,  accompanied 
by  the  rifle  regiment  under  Brevet  Brigadier-General  Thomas  A.  Smith, 
work  on  the  fort  was  begun.  As  General  Smith  remained  but  a  short  time, 
the  work  was  continued  under  Col.  William  Lawrence,  of  the  8th  regiment, 
and  was  called  "Fort  Armstrong,"  in  honor  of  the  then  Secretary  of  Wa-r. 

Major  Marsten.  in  1819,  reported  as  follows:  "This  fort  is  about  270 
feet  square,  \\ith  three  block  houses  mounting  three  six-pounders.  The 
barracks  are  well  constructed,  of  hewed  timber,  and  are  sufficiently  extensive 


Fori  Armstrong,  as  originally  built,  from  photograph  of  an  oM  drawing. 


to  quarter  three  companies.  The  magazine  is  of  stone,  and  well  built. 
The  commanding  (jflicer's  (piarters  consists  of  a  center  two-story  building 
28  feet  in  length  and  a  piazza  built  in  front  and  rear.  The  fort  is  ])uilt  on 
the  lower  point  of  Rock  Island,  and  upon  a  perpendicular  bank  of  lime- 
stone about  twenty-five  feet  in  height.  It  completely  commands  both  chan- 
nels of  the  river.  The  garrison  is  a  great  check  upon  the  Indians  in  this 
country,  and  from  its  central  situation  it  appears  to  me  to  be  a  station  of 
considerable  imjjortance." 

Of  its  general  outward  appearance.  Governor  Ford  wrote  as  follows: 
"The  river  here  is  a  beautiful  sheet  of  clear,  swift-running  water,  about 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  wide.  Its  banks  on  both  sides  were  uninhabited, 
except  by  Indians,  from  the  lower  rapids  to  the  fort,  and  the  voyagers  up 
stream,  after  several  days  solitary  progress  through  a  wilderness  country 
on  its  borders,  came  suddenly  in  sight  of  the  whitewashed  walls  and  towers 


ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL  69 

of  the  fort,  perched  upon  a  rock,  surrounded  by  the  grandeur  and 
beauty  of  nature,  which  at  a  distance  gave  it  the  appearance  of  one  of  those 
enchanted  castles  in  an  uninhabited  desert,  so  well  described  in  the  Arabian 
Nights  Entertainments." 

Within  the  walls  of  the  fort  were  housed  a  variety  of  interests — the 
commandant,  the  surgeon,  the  interpreter,  the  Lidian  Agent,  the  blacksmith, 
the  soldiers,  and  lastly  the  servants.  Among  the  last  named  was  the  colored 
man,  Dred  Scott,  whose  residence  at  Fort  Armstrong  provided  the  grounds 
for  the  legal  battle  carried  through  to  the  United  States  Supreme  Court, 
made  famous  in  history  by  the  "Dread  Scott  decision."  The  blacksmith  was 
appointed  because  of  a  stipulation  in  treaties  with  the  Indians  that  the 
United  States  should  provide  such  an  artisan  for  repairing  the  Indians'  hoes, 
axes,  guns,  etc. 

The  United  States  Indian  Agent  managed  the  affairs  of  the  Government 
with  the  Indians.  All  traders  must  receive  their  traders'  licenses  from  the 
agent.  He  would  pass  upon  the  proposed  trader's  qualifications,  upon  the 
financial  responsibility  of  those  who  signed  his  bond  as  security,  take  a 
list  of  their  interpreters,  clerks  and  boatmen,  the  place  where  to  trade  and 
the  tribe  of  Indians  with  whom  he  would  trade.  The  agent  issued  passports 
to  Indians  wishing  to  travel  to  other  posts,  issued  rations  to  the  Indians, 
keeping  book  account  of  all  such  transactions,  and  paid  out  the  thousands 
of  dollars  annually  as  annuities  to  the  red  men,  etc.  In  addition  to  those 
officially  connected  with  the  fort,  James  D.  Rishell,  in  a  recent  edition  of 
"Black  Hawk's  Autobiography,"  says:  "Around  every  fort  on  the  border, 
from  the  earliest  times  onward,  hovered  a  band  of  French,  English  and 
American  traders,  in  sharp  competition  for  the  rich  furs  and  peltries  of 
the  Indians."  Colonel  George  Davenport,  in  fact,  had  a  permanent  trading 
establishment  but  a  few  hundred  yards  distant  from  Fort  Armstrong. 

All  through  the  years,  until  after  the  Black  Hawk  War,  Fort  Armstrong 
functioned  as  a  restraint  upon  the  Indians.  Always  there  were  quarrels, 
battles,  killings,  stealings,  between  the  two  races  over  a  wide  range  of 
country  hereabout.  Our  earliest  settlers  would  scarcely  have  dared  to 
locate  within  Black  Hawk's  village  had  it  not  been  for  the  presence  of  the 
fort.  The  Winnebago  War,  and  two  campaigns,  1831  and  1832,  of  the  Black 
Hawk  War,  found  the  fort  a  refuge  to  the  crowds  of  men,  women,  and 
children  of  settlers,  as  also  the  headquarters  for  the  military  operations 
which  resulted  in  the  expulsion  from  the  old  Northwest  Territory  of  the 
last  of  a  long  list  of  patriotic,  fighting  Indians. 

The  stories  of  Indian  treaties  negotiated  at  Fort  Armstrong;  of  refugee 
settlers  in  fear  of  massacre;  of  Black  Hawk's  attempt  to  blow  up  the  fort; 
of  the  legend  of  the  spirit,  in  the  form  of  a  large  swan,  which  inhabited 
the  cave  underneath  the  fort;  the  hustle  and  bustle  of  soldiers  and  supplies 


70 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R  S   E   N   A   L 


during-  the  Black  J  lawk  War.  at  which  time  llie  fort  was  headquarters  for 
the  army;  the  ct)ming  of  Cjeueral  W'infield  Scott,  and  the  plague  of  cholera 
at  the  fort — all  these  and  many  others  are  subjects  of  too  great  length  to  be 
treated  in  the  space  allotted  to  this  part  of  the  stcjry  of  the  Tri-Cities  and 
the  Arsenal. 

From   \\m.  A   Meese's   "l^ariy   Rock   Island"   we   quote   the   following: 

"May  4,  1836.  the  fort  was  evacuated  and  the  troops  sent  to  Fort  Snelling. 
Lieutenant   Colonel   William  Davenport  was  in  command  at  that  time,  and 

he  left  Lieutenant  John  Reach,  of  the  in- 
fantry, in  charge  with  a  few  men  to  take 
care  of  the  proi)erty.  The  fort  was  never 
re-garrisoned.  November,  1836.  Lieutenant 
Beach  was  ordered  away  and  all  the  prop- 
erty was  removed.  From  1836  to  1838, 
Ceneral  Street,  Indian  Agent,  had  charge 
of  the  Island,  and  he  was  succeeded  by 
Colonel  Cjeorge  Davenport,  who  had  been 
a])i)ointed  Indian  Agent.  In  18-K)  some  of 
the  buildings  were  repaired  and  an  ordnance 
(k])oi  was  established  at  the  fort,  Captain 
W  .  k.  Shoemaker  having  charge  until  1845. 
when  the  depot  was  broken  uj)  and  the 
^odds  removed  to  St.  Louis,  lliomas  L. 
Drum,  of  Rock  Island,  was  custodian  from 
1845  to  1853.  Ordnance  Sergeant  Cum- 
mings  was  in  charge  for  a  short  time  in 
1853  to  1854;  J.  B.  Danforth  from  1854  to 
1857.  and  H.  Y.  Slaymaker  from  1857  to 
1863." 


Reproduction  of  first  blork  house,  rrerteil  in  1916 
by  the  people  of  the  community,  for  celebration  of 
100th  anniversary  of  building  of  Fort  Armstrong. 


In  1855  part  of  the  fort  was  reduced  to  ashes.  The  last  vestiges  of 
the  fort  were  removed  in  1863,  at  the  time  of  the  building  of  the  large 
Armory  clock  tower  building.  It  is  unfortunate  that  i)art,  at  least,  of 
this  relic  of  the  stirring  days  of  the  past  was  not  left  as  a  monument  for 
succeeding  generations. 

In  1916,  however,  the  one-hundredth  anniversary  of  the  building  of 
Fort  Armstrong  was  fittingly  observed  by  a  great  celebration,  in  which  not 
only  the  Tri-Cities  joined,  but  visitors  from  away  were  here  in  large  numbers. 
Among  the  noted  visitors  were  Jesse  Ka-ka-que,  of  Kansas,  a  great  grand- 
son of  Black  I  lawk,  and  Push-e-ton-e-que,  chief  of  the  Fox  or  Mesquakies, 
together  with  about  twenty-five  other  Indians  from  Tama,  Iowa.  As  a  part 
of  this  celebration,  one  of  the  blockhouses  was  restored,  and  is  an  exact 
replica  in  form  of  those  which  were  placed  there  a  century  before,  which, 
with  their  six-poundcrs.  gave  such  comfort  to  the  westward  tide  of  immigra- 
tion. 


Squatters'  Rights 


LTHOUGH  claiming  it  from  the  first  as  a  reservation  for  its  uses,  the 
War  Department  had  no  little  difficulty  in  finally  establishing-  title 
to  Rock  Island.  Seldom  has  a  tract  of  land  no  larger  than  the 
Island  ofl:'ered  such  obvious  attractions  to  private  owners,  and  many 
and  devious  were  the  schemes  employed  in  an  effort  to  wrest  it 
from  the  control  of  the  government.  In  the  end  it  cost  Uncle  Sam  $221,035 
to  buy  rights  of  settlers  wlio  were  conceded  to  have  just  claims  to  portions 
of  the  premises,  and  the  water  power  rights  are  still  shared  by  private 
interests. 

Much  space  would  be  required  to  record  details  of  this  phase  of  the 
Arsenal's   history.     Only  a   brief   outline   will   be   attempted. 

For  many  years  the  ciuestion  whether  the  Island  was  lawfully  under 
the  control  of  the  A\'ar  Department,  or  subject  to  distribution  as  part  of 
the  public  domain,  was  considered  debatable.  Appeal  was  made  at  various 
times  to  the  Courts,  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  President,  and  even  to 
Congress. 

In  1825,  and  again  in  1835,  the  War  Department  formally  asserted  its 
claim  to  the  whole  of  the  tract.  Nevertheless,  a  survey  was  made  by  an 
engineer  employed  by  the  Department  of  the  Interior  in  1832,  and  the 
land  was  laid  out  in  quarter  sections.  After  the  troops  were  withdraAvn, 
in  1836,  squatters  appeared  and  occupied  most  of  the  Island,  with  a  view 
of  preempting  it  under  regulations  applying  to  all  public  lands  not  set  aside 
for   some   particular   purpose. 

In  1837  the  Illinois  legislature  gave  permission,  by  special  act,  em- 
powering David  B.  Sears  and  John  AY.  Spencer  to  construct  a  water  power 
dam  across  Rock  Island  Slough,  connecting  the  Island  with  the  mainland 
at  Moline.  In  1842  the  dam  was  completed,  and  in  a  short  time  a  number 
of  small  manufacturing  plants  made  their  ai)i)earance  at  the  head  of  the 
Island,  operating  with  the  i)ower  generated  there.  In  1846  Mr.  Sears  built 
another  dam  connecting  the  main  island  with  Benham's  Island,  on  the  north 
and  just  below  the  head  of  the  former.  In  1848,  for  some  reason  not  clear 
at  this  date,  the  Secretary  of  AVar  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior 
formally  relinquishing  the  Island  for  military  purposes.  In  doing  so,  how- 
ever, the  former  exceeded  his  poAvers,  as  court  decisions  and  subsequent 
acts  of  the  War  Department  indicated,  and  so  a  great  many  persons  who 
claimed   interests  in  the  property  were  disappointed. 

Most  of  the  litigation  with  respect  to  the  ownership  of  the  premises 
resulted  from  the  building  of  the  Chicago  &  Rock  Island  railroad,  which 
crossed  the  Island  a  quarter  of  a  mile  east  of  the  present  line,  the  company 


72 


ROCK       ISLAND      ARSENAL 


claiming  a  tract  300  feet  in  width  by  virtue  of  its  charter  from  the  State 
of  Illinois.  That  was  in  1854.  The  War  Department  resisted  the  intrusion, 
and  the  matter  was  thrown  into  the  courts,  which  eventually  upheld  the 
company,  apparently  more  on  the  grounds  of  public  need  of  transportation 
by  rail  than  upon  proof  of  technical  rights  submitted  by  the  defendant. 
Subsequently  the  railroad  was  induced  to  remove  its  tracks  to  the  extreme 
western  end  of  the  Island,  where  they  are  now  located. 

In  1850.  when  General  Zachary  Taylor  was  President,  he  issued  an  order 
for  the  sale  of  the  Island.  Advertisements  were  not  printed  in  local  news- 
papers, and  it  was  charged  that  the  move  had  been  instigated  by  outside 
capitalists  who  wished,  for  obvious  reasons,  to  avoid  publicity.    Two  weeks 


.1   Ihr   (...lll.-cl,- 


Hal  l>lov%  at  til. 


"'  a|">n?^  «iro  use. I  in  tlir  nuinitiirs  which  crushed 
orlh  from  the  sea  iluring  the  Civil  war. 


prior  to  the  date  of  the  sale,  however,  people  of  the  community  awoke  to 
what  was  going  on,  and  immediately  such  a  protest  arose  that  the  War 
Department  felt  impelled  to  postpone  the  date.  Word  to  this  effect  did 
not  reach  Rock  Island  until  the  afternoon  of  the  day  on  which  the  sale 
was  to  have  taken  place  and  an  ofticer  was  on  the  ground  prepared  to 
receive  bids.  Most  active  in  opposing  the  sale  were  those  who  had  settled 
or  made  improvements  on  the  Island,  for  they  felt  that  their  alleged  rights 
were  being  placed  in  jeopardy.  They  banded  together  and  even  went  so  far 
as  to  post  notices  in  the  vicinity  warning  prospective  purchasers  that  those 
appearing  to  submit  bids  would  be  in  serious  physical  danger.  The  sale  was 
finally  called  off. 

Many  bills  were  offered  in  Congress  for  the  sale  of  all  or  part  of  the 
land,  but  most  of  them  were  defeated  throug^h  the  vigilance  of  local  interests. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


73 


which  from  the  first  ardently  upheld  the  effort  to  maintain  the  Island  as  a 
site  for  an  Arsenal.  In  1858  the  AVar  Department  again  was  induced  to  con- 
sent to  public  sale,  and  bids  were  advertised  for  and  received,  but  never 
opened.  About  this  time  Congress  began  to  manifest  a  real  interest  in  the 
utilization  of  the  Island  for  military  purposes,  and  so  in  1859,  when  the  last 
bill  ever  ofifered  for  sale  of  the  premises  came  up,  it  was  promptly  voted 
down,  and  that  ended  the  controversy. 

In  the  meantime  parts  of  the  Island  had  been  disposed  of  by  act  of 
Congress.  Colonel  George  Davenport,  the  original  settler  in  the  community, 
was    permitted   to   purchase   at   the   prevailing   price   of   $1.25   per   acre   the 


Residence  of  Commandant  of  Arsenal. 


quarter  section  he  had  claimed  and  improved  at  the  time  the  first  army 
post  was  established,  and  D.  B.  Sears  was  given  a  similar  privilege  with 
respect  to  the  fractional  tract  adjacent  to  his  flour  mill  at  the  head  of  the 
Island,  The  Davenport  interests  subsequently  were  re-purchased  by  the 
War  Department  for  $40,700  and  the  Sears  interests  for  $145,175. 

An  organized  effort  to  get  the  greater  part  of  the  Island  by  preemp- 
tion was  made  in  1856,  when  one  Thales  Lindsley,  said  to  have  been  a  clerk 
in  the  Patent  Office  at  Washington,  appeared  and  located  a  party  of  squatters 
as  ''dummies"  upon  unoccupied  parts  of  the  Island.  About  the  same  time 
a  number  of  Rock  Island  men  conceived  of  the  same  idea,  namely,  that  of 


74 


ROCK       ISLAND       A  R  S   E  N   A   L 


establishing  riohts  preliniinarv  to  i)urchasc  from  the  govcrninent.  The 
result  was  that  the  po})ulation  of  the  Island  was  materially  increased,  there 
being  two  or  more  claimants  for  each  of  the  more  desirable  portions.  Some 
vit)lencc  resulted  from  the  clash  of  interests.  Eventually  the  Lindsley 
party  was  worsted.  Lindsley.  however,  was  not  daunted.  He  remained 
on  the  ground  and  interested  a  number  of  local  men  in  a  plan  to  get  the 
Island  by  grant  from  C;)ngress  as  the  site  for  a  great  state  and  national 
university.     lie  drew  up  a  prospectus  for  an  institution  of  learning,  offering 


Beauty  spots  on  the  Island.     Above,  stone  bridge  leading  to  Officers'  quarters. 
Below,  garden  near  Commanding  Officer's  quarters. 


more  than  one  hundred  courses  of  study,  some  of  which  never  had  been,  and 
perhaps  never  Avill  be.  taught  in  any  school.  A  bill  to  carry  out  the  scheme 
was  actually  presented  to  Congress.  When  Lindsley  appealed  to  Senator 
Stephen  A.  Douglas  for  aid,  that  statesman,  evidently  apprised  of  the  many 
devices  already  employed  with  a  similar  purpose,  is  (juoted  as  having  ex- 
claimed: "For  heaven's  sake.  sir.  draw  something  thicker  than  a  lace  veil 
over  your  scheme!" 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


75 


Apparently  that  sealed  the  doom  of  the  project,  for  it  did  not  get 
much  farther.  Lindsley  made  one  other  attempt  to  improve  his  fortunes 
through  an  application  to  the  Illinois  legislature  for  a  water  power  grant 
involving  rights  in  the  south  channel,  already  claimed  by  the  Moline  Water 
Power  Company,  but  met  with  defeat. 

Private  claim  to  water  power  rights  in  the  Rock  Island  slough  never 
was  seriously  contested  by  the  War  Department.  The  original  dam,  built 
in  1842,  by  Sears  and  Spencer,  was  taken  over  a  few  years  later  by  Pitts, 
Gilbert  &  Pitts,  an  eastern  firm.  Power  was  supplied  to  a  number  of  factories 
from  the  first,  but  the  project  was  not  placed  on  a  permanently  paying  basis 
till  after  1865,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  newly  formed  Moline 
Water  Power  Company.  This  concern  entered  into  an  agreement  by  which 
it  surrendered  all  rights  to  the  government,  obtaining  in  return  a  perpetual 
grant  of  the  use  of  one-fourth  of  the  power  developed,  with  the  option 
of  use  of  surplus  power,  above  the  requirements  of  the  Arsenal,  at  a  specified 
rental.  The  government  agreed  to  bear  all  expense  of  development 
and  maintenance.  This  agreement  stands  to  this  day,  and  the  Moline  Water 
Power  Company  is  still  in  existence,  selling  power  to  the  Peoples'  Power 
Company,  which  provides   for  distribution   in  the  community. 


Flag  pole  in  front  of  Commanding  Officer's  headquarters. 


Buiklina*  the  Orioinal  Arsenal 

c  o 


THE  first  formal  move  to  set  Rock  Island  apart  for  military  purposes 
was  made  in  1825,  when  the  Secretary  of  War  notified  the  Com- 
missioner of  the  General  Land  Office  to  reserve  the  land  from  sale, 
fen  years  later  Congress  approved  of  an  examination  of  sites  for 
a  proposed  western  Armory,  which  was  made  by  a  commission  of 
army  otiicers. 

In  1840  the  Commandant  of  the  Arsenal  at  St.  Louis  was  directed  by 
the  Chief  of  Ordnance  to  ascertain  w'hat  advantages  Rock  Island  might 
have  for  ordnance  purposes.  The  report,  submitted  by  Captain  William  Bell, 
gave  an  intimate  description  of  the  Island  and  adjoining  community,  prais- 
ing the  transportation  and  water  power  facilities,  and  stating  there  were 
but  two  responsible  private  claimants  at  that  time  prepared  to  dispute 
ownership  with  the  government. 

The  following  year  Congress  again  ordered  an  investigation  to  de- 
termine the  site  for  a  western  Armory  to  be  located  on  a  waterway.  Three 
army  ofticers  spent  eighteen  months  in  the  work  and  made  a  voluminous 
report,  which  gave  enthusiastic  praise  to  the  natural  advantages  of  Rock 
Island  for  the  proposed  purpose.  "Articles  of  subsistence  of  all  kinds, 
for  man  and  beast,"  the  report  said,  "are  abundant,  and  these  are  remarkably 
cheap.  The  site  is  exceptionally  healthy,  as  evidenced  by  reports  now  on 
file  in  the  office  of  the  Surgeon  General  *  *  *  covering  a  period  of 
more  than  twenty  years,  during  which  the  number  upon  the  sick  list  at 
Fort  Armstrong  was  proportionately  less  than  at  any  other  post  in  the 
western  country." 

Other  reports  of  similar  nature  were  made  to  the  War  Department 
from  time  to  time,  up  to  the  date  when  Congress  finally  authorized  the 
beginning  of  construction  of  permanent  buildings.  A.  C.  Dodge,  chairman 
of  the  Senate  Committee  on  Public  Lands,  writing  to  the  Secretary  of 
War  in  1854,  said : 

"Rock  Island,  as  you  are  well  aware,  has  long  been  regarded  by  a  large 
portion  of  the  people  of  the  Mississippi  valley  as  an  advantageous  site 
for   an   Arsenal   of    construction." 

From  the  earliest  days  of  the  white  men  in  this  vicinity  there  was  a 
strongly  defined  sentiment  in  the  upper  river  valley,  and  especially  in  the 
more  immediate  locality,  in  favor  of  maintaining  and  developing  the  Island 
for  military  uses.  Time  after  time,  the  records  show,  when  ownership  of 
the  land  by  the  War  Department  was  threatened,  or  the  authorities  at 
Washington  wavered  in  their  intentions  along  this  line,  champions  of  the 


ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL 


17 


Arsenal  project  who  were  able  to  make  their  voices  heard  and  influence  felt 
in  the  national  capital  came  forward.  Disposition  toward  hasty  adverse 
action  was  repeatedly  halted  and  the  subject  kept  open  till  a  more  deliberate 
consideration  of  its  merits  finally  won  the  day. 

By  Act  of  Congress,  approved  July  11,  1862,  a  national  Arsenal  was 
located  on  Rock  Island,  and  $100,000  was  appropriated  for  buildings.  The 
original  intention  was  to  use  the  establishment  for  storage  and  repairs  only. 

Major  C.  P.  Kingsbury  was  assigned  as  the  first  Commandant,  coming 
on  the  scene  in  1863.     In  that  year  the  first  permanent  building,  the  one  at 


(Pi"*'*'  ■     ■       Sr « ^WL 

'-^^fT-^r'       '"Ml!- 

,;  '  f  f     .1  -  "  -  -  _  t  -  '^v 
" '  \_t  b 


-AC       — ^^ 


7.- J-  • 


Rear  view  of  original  shops.     Insert,  old  stone  storehouse  at  west  end  of  Island.     This  was  the  first  permanent  buiJing  erected. 

With  its  tall  clock  tower  it  is  now  the  most  conspicuous  object  connected  with  the  Island, 

as  viewed  by  transients.     It  is  now  kept  chiefly  as  a  relic. 


the  west  end  of  the  Island,  with  its  clock  tower  provided  with  12-foot  dials 
facing  in  four  directions,  was  begun.  This  structure  was  designed  as  a 
storehouse,  and  for  years  has  been  used  only  incidentally  as  circumstances 
demanded.  A  few  years  ago  it  was  condemned  and  ordered  torn  down,  but 
the  order  was  rescinded  in  response  to  local  sentiment.  The  building  is 
not  now  a  part  of  the  Arsenal,  properly  speaking. 


78  R  O  C  K       T   S   1.  A   N  D       A  R  S   1^  N  A  L 

General  Thumas  J.  Rodman  snccecdcd  Major  Kingsbury  in  citmmand 
in  1865  and  remained  in  charge  till  his  death,  which  took  place  in  1871.  His 
remains  were  buried  on  the  Island.  Under  General  Rodman,  who  designed 
some  of  the  best  heavy  guns  used  in  the  Civil  War,  those  with  which  the 
monitors  were  armed  being  among  them,  comprehensive  plans  for  the 
Arsenal  were  elaborated.  In  accordance  with  these,  the  institutit)n  was 
constructed  and  remained  with  only  minor  additions  up  to  the  date  of 
beginning  of  the  \\ Orld  \\  ar. 

Two  rows  of  great  shops,  one  on  either  side  of  the  main  a\enue  ex- 
tending east  and  west,  and  located  on  the  highest  ground  the  Island  aiTorded, 
were  included.  Most  of  the  building  was  done  under  General  Rodman  and 
his  successor.  General  U.  \\'.  Flagler.  The  shops  on  the  south  side  of 
the  avenue  were  designed  for  an  Arsenal  and  those  on  the  north  ior  an 
Armory. 

The  center  shop  on  the  south  side  is  a  foundry  and  blacksmith  shop 
and  the  one  on  the  north  a  rolling  mill  and  forge  shop.  Both  are  one-story 
structures,  with  monitor  roofs.     Other  shops  are  two  stories,  with  basement. 

Ground  i)lans  for  all  ten  buildings  originally  were  alike.  Each  has 
two  parallel  wings.  60x300  feet,  90  feet  apart,  being  U-shaped,  with  the 
closed  end  on  the  avenue.  This  leaves  a  court  90x238  feet.  The  porticos 
at  the  sides  project  12  feet  and  are  60  feet  wide,  while  those  at  the  ends 
are  ot  the  same  width,  but  project  only  two  feet.  During  the  late  war  the 
inside  porticos  of  the  t\\<.)  end  buildings  on  each  side  of  the  avenue  were 
joined,  to  give  more  floor  space  and  facilitate  handling  of  materials. 

Walls  of  all  buildings  are  entirely  of  stone,  most  of  it  ol)tained  from 
quarries  near  jolict.  Illinois.  Average  thickness  of  llie  walls  is  3  feet  4 
inches  for  the  first  story,  2  feet  10  inches  iov  the  second,  and  2  feet  4 
inches  for  the  third.  An  enormous  amount  of  material  was  used.  In  Shop 
A.  for  instance,  were  placed  30.115.800  pounds  of  stone,  3.132.800  pounds  of 
brick,  2,199,646  i)ounds  of  irt)n.  1.331.500  pounds  of  lumber,  362.500  pounds 
of  slate.  200.000  j)ounds  of  plaster  and  26.000  ])oun(ls  of  copjjcr.  Total  area 
•  »f  each  sho])  is  a  little  more  than  one  acre.  .Much  of  the  construction  work 
was  done  by  day  labor  directed  by  sj)ecially  trained  oliicers.  and  reports 
of  Commanding  ()fhcers  comment  upon  the  saving  of  money  eft'ected  and 
better  structures  secured  thrctugh  this  ])lan. 

These  shop  buildings.  su])plenu'nted  with  three  lire-jjroof  storehouses, 
barracks.  Commanding  ( )riicer's  quarters,  subaltern  ofhcers'  quarters, 
general  offices  and  fire  engine  house,  all  of  equally  durable  and  commodious 
character.  ])rovided  facilities  for  liousing  the  largest  and  most  effective 
Arsenal  and  Armory  in  the  country.  So  much  room  was  there,  in  fact,  that 
only  a  i)art  of  the  space  atiforded  was  utilized  for  manufacturing  purposes 
and  fitted  out  with  machinery  until  after  the   ICuropean   War  broke.     Good 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  79 

use  was  made  of  it  during  the  Spanish  \\^ar  flurry,  but  most  of  the  shop  ex- 
pansion then  was  of  a  temporary  nature. 

Under  General  Rodman  the  second  Rock  Island  bridge  was  begun  and 
work  was  prosecuted  in  the  improvement  of  the  water  power.  A  reservoir 
giving  sufficient  water  facilities  for  the  needs  of  the  institution  was  con- 
structed and  Shops  B  and  C  and  the  Commanding  Officer's  cjuarters  were 
nearly  completed. 

Under  General  (then  Captain)  Flagler  most  of  the  other  l)uildings  were 
constructed  as  originally  planned.  The  Aloline  highway  bridge  was  built, 
a  sewer  S3'stem  installed,  the  main  avenues  were  partially  improved,  and 
miles  of  driveways  about  the  Island  laid  out.  Most  of  the  trees,  other  than 
those  of  the  natural  forest  remaining,  were  planted  at  this  time.  The 
second  bridge  over  the  main  channel  of  the  river  was  completed  and  opened 
for  public  use. 

Construction  lagged  under  Colonel  T.  G.  Baylor  (1886  to  1889),  and 
Colonel  J.  M.  Whittemore  ( 1889  to  1892).  Under  Colonel  A.  R.  Buffington 
(1892  to  1897)  the  Rock  Island  bridge  was  rebuilt  to  bear  heavier  traffic, 
this  being  the  chief  item  in  the  way  of  improvements. 

Under  Colonel  S.  E.  Blunt  as  Commandant  the  Arsenal  rendered  valiant 
service  to  the  country  in  the  Spanish-American  \\'ar.  Reference  of  a  more 
extended  nature  under  this  heading  is  made  elsewhere.  The  capacity  of  the 
manufacturing  plant  was  enlarged  l^y  the  installation  of  machinery  and 
shop  fixtures.  Congress,  stirred  by  the  urgent  need  of  the  times,  made 
tardy  provision  for  the  equipping  of  the  Armory  and  the  manufacture  of 
army  rifles.  Money  for  this  purpose  was  voted  in  1899,  and  in  the  following 
year  work  was  begun  with  a  view  of  increasing  the  water  power  plant, 
modernizing  it  with  electricity  and  placing  three  of  the  shop  buildings  in 
Armory  row  in  readiness  for  men  and  machinery.  Eventually  the  Armory 
attained  a  capacity  of  250  rifles  daily,  but  after  the  immediate  needs  of 
the  army  were  met  the  output  was  cut  down  to  al^out  half  the  full  capacity. 
For  some  years  before  the  A\'orld  War  little  was  done  at  the  small  arms 
plant,  but  it  sprang  into  new  life  with  the  entrance  of  the  country  into  the 
great  struggle,  the  number  of  employees  being  brought  up  to  3,000  in  this 
department  alone. 

The  vast  additions  to  shops  and  storehouses,  together  with  the  many 
other  improvements  brought  about  by  the  late  war,  were  made  under  Colonel 
George  W.  Burr,  Colonel  L.  T.  Hillman,  and  Colonel  Harry  B.  Jordan. 


\\niat  the  Arsenal  Cost  and  Its  Present 

Valuation 


XPENDITURES  for  all  purposes  in  connection  with  Rock  Island 
Arsenal  during  the  58  years  of  its  existence  total  $32,591,920.94. 
Present  estimated  value  of  improvements  is  $18,310,525.00.  With 
grounds,  buildings  and  war  material  and  machinery  stored  therein 
inventoried  at  more  than  $250,000,000,  the  government  has  a  larger 
investment  in  this  Arsenal  than  at  any  other  center  in  the  United  States, 
outside  of  Washington,  D.  C. 

In  the  table  below  there  are  included  under  "Construction,  Repair 
and  Preservation"  not  only  the  cost  of  the  buildings  when  new,  but  also 
the  sums  required  for  their  repair  and  maintenance ;  the  government 
share  of  expense  in  connection  with  the  various  bridges;  and  under  "Water 
Power"  the  sums  disbursed  for  acquisition  of  power  rights  and  their  sub- 


Filtration  plant.     The  Arsenal's  water  supply  is  taken  from  the  Mississippi  river,  being  purified  by  modern  methods. 

sequent  development;  and  under  "Machinery,"  the  cost  of  all  that  has  been 
installed,  including  the  earlier  purchases,  now  either  worn  out  or  obsolete 
and  no  longer  in  use.  The  totals,  therefore,  represent  actual  expenditures, 
and,  taking  no  account  of  appreciation  or  depreciation,  do  not  represent 
present  values.  Against  the  various  items  it  is  proper  to  charge  off  the 
benefit  that  the  country  has  enjoyed  from  the  operation  of  the  Arsenal, 
which,  of  course,  is  an  item  that  cannot  be  reduced  to  figures. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


81 


COST  OF  BUILDINGS,  WATER  POWER.  MACHINERY,  ETC.,  AT 

ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL  FROM  ITS  ESTABLISHMENT 

TO  JUNE  30,  1920 


Construc- 

tion,   Re- 

Construc- 

Rock   Is- 

pair   and 

tion,    Re- 

land Water 

Machinery 

Commandant 

Period 

Preserva- 

pair  and 

Power 

and     Shop 

Total 

tion    of 

Preserva- 

Dikes    and 

Fixtures 

Buildings, 

tion    of 

Dams 

Roads, 

Bridges 

Sewers,  etc. 

Maj.  C.  P.  Kinssbury 

1  lS63-()3 

1$      231,3,84.72 

1? 

$ 

$ 

$      231,3,84.72 

Gen.  T.  J.  Rodman 

1865-71 

1.85.5.4.5.5.62 

6.664..33 

440„-,«Mi.:!5 

2.:!02,(;2t;.30 

Gen.  D.  W.  B^agler 

1871-86 

4,137,675.24 

160.,S94.74 

r,<M.<.n\Ai 

92,000.00 

4.9S2,4,^1.45 

Col.   T.   G.  Bavlor 

1886-89 

201.200.00 

96,250.00 

322,000.00 

44,000.00 

(■)(;:!. 450. 00 

Col.  J.  M.  Whittemore 

18,89-92 

69,000.00 

1,82.318.48 

101,000.00 

25,000.00 

377,318.48 

Gen.  A.  R.  Bufflngtou 

1892-97 

47,250.00 

315.125..50 

67,500.00 

47,500.00 

477,375.50 

Col.    S.    E.    Blunt 

1897-07 

404,344.50 

173,877.02 

317,792.00 

1,153,521.26 

2.049.,534.78 

Lt.  Col.  F.  E.  Hohbs 

1907-11 

100,964.36 

139,172..55 

7,8,500.00 

121,107.15 

430.744.00 

Col.    Geo.    W.    Bun- 

1911-18 

4,880,701.11 

171,992.,85 

16,8,167.45 

1,031,820.30 

6,252.<;.sl.71 

Col.    L.    T.    Hillman 

1918-18 

5,859,540.,S6 

25.197.76 

43.^,537.24 

4.476,9(i2..59 

10,s()(».-j:',s.45 

Col.  Harry  B.  .lordaii 

1919-20 

2,138,749.70 

52,375..54 

314.(;43.79 

1,. 509.31  (i.4(; 

4, 015. (IS.). 49 

l.yi9. 926.266.11    |$  1..323..S6,8.77   |.$  2..S40.5.5.S.:;{)   1.$  ,s.. 501.227. 70   i.'i;32.5!)l.'.>--:(l.!)4 


Cafeteria,  erected  to  serve  thousands  of  war  workers. 


For  the  single  year  from  July  1,  1919,  to  July  1.  1920.  the  cost  under 
the  four  headings  was  as  follows: 

Construction,    Repair    and    Preservation    of    Buildings.    Roads. 

Sewers,  etc $858,231.57 

Construction,  Repair  and  Preservation  of  Bridges 33,573.30 

Rock  Island  Water  Power.  Dikes  and  Dams 80.608.61 

Machinery  and  Shop  Fixtures 393,893.33 

Total    : $1,366,306.81 

Two  hundred  and  three  items  are  included  in  the  list  of  Arsenal  improve- 
ments, 168  being  of  a  permanent  nature  and  the  balance  temporary.  Of 
course  not  all  of  the  buildings  originally  constructed  are  now  standing,  a 
number  of  the  smaller  and  less  substantial  sort  having  been  salvaged.     By 


82  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

far  the  most  valuable  of  the  present  structures  are  those  of  modern  design 
erected  during  the  last  few  years,  as  an  inspection  of  the  following  itemized 
estimate  will  show: 

\ALUATlON  OF  QUARTERS  AND  BUILDINGS 

PE RM A N i:nt  b u I ld I nc ;s 

ADMINISTRATIVE  BUILDING 

1— Main    office ?  39.000.00$      30,000.00 

OFFICERS'    Qr.ARTERS 

2— ComuiaiKliiip    Officers    quarters 100.000.00 

3— Assistant  Officers  (piarters   No.  2 :t(i.(M»0,(M) 

4 — Assistant   Officers   quarters    No.  3 :i:!.(KKI.(K) 

.T — Assistant  Officer's  quarters   No.  4 2:?.7.">0.00 

(5 — Assistant    Officers   quarters   No.   0 13..500.00 

7_Assistaut   Officers   quarters   No.   7 12.000.00      218,250.00 

EM.ISTKI)     MKNS    <IIAKTERS 

.V- Stone    barracks 127.500.00 

«— Serjreants    cjuarters    Xo.    10 4.000.00 

10— Serfreants   quarters  No.  23 5.000.00 

11— Serjreants   quarters   No.  24— _J 4.000.00 

12 — Serjeants   cpiarters   Nos.   11   and   12,    double lO.ftOO.OO 

13— t'asual  rersoimel  (juarters  No.  2.5.  26  and  27 1.5.000.00 

14 — Quarters  No.  lis  at  chicken  farm 1.000.00 

15— Quarters   N<>s.   V.K  20.  21  and   22 20..300.00 

16 — Contagious    Hospital    (wash    room    for   (juarters) 3.000.00      1VH).400.00 

.MISCELL.VNEOIS    BIILDING.S 

17— Post    Hospital 10.000.00 

IS — Bowling  alley    (south   of  welfare  building) 5.500.00 

Post    exchange  and    welfare    building 11,500.00 

19 — Garage,    ronimanding    Officer's    (luarters 450.00 

20 — Garage,  (juarters   No.  2-_-T 2.50.00 

21 — Garage,  quarters   No.  3 ISO.OO 

22 — Garage,  (juarters   No.  4 2S0.00 

2.3 — Ciarage.   quarters   No.  (5 2s0.nO 

24 — (Jarage.    (|uarters    No.    7 2.">().<tO 

2.5 — Chicken  housp.  Commanding  Officer's  quarters !KM).()0 

20 — Chiclven   house.   No.   2   tiuarters .'UKXOO 

27 — Chicken   house.    No.  3  quarters 2S0.00 

2s — Chicken   hou.se.    No.  4  quarters 2*>0.00 

29 — Chicken   house.   No.   (!  (luarters :{S0.00 

30 — Chicken   house.   No.   7  quarters 300.00 

31— Frame     bakerv 2.S00.00 

.3-2- Post     staldes 9.000.00 

:« — (ireen   houses.  Commanding  Officer's  quarters 9.720.00 

.34 — Barn   west   of  cadilv   house l.SOO.OO 

35 — Band    stand.    National    Cemetery 500.00       54,950.00 

>L\XrF.\CTrRING  SECTION 

36— Shop     "A"    600.000.00 

.37— Shop    -B'    600.000.00 

.^S_Shop    "C"    ('OO.JKW.OO 

.39 — Shop    "D"    tMXt.OOO.OO 

40— Shop    "E"    2SO.()00.00 

41— Shop    "F"    295.tMM1.00 

42— Shop    "G"    375.000.00 

4:{— Shop    "H"    403..5(K).00 

44— Shop      "I"     32S..500.00 

4.5— Shop    "K"    377.200.00 

46— Shop    "L"    1.916.M)4.00 

47— Chemical    Laboratory    L-1 1.50.iKM).00 

4>^L.    court    7.5.;)(M).00 

49— Shop  "M"  and  oil  storage.  Group  Xo.  4 2.225.mM).{K) 

50— Shop  "O"  l.")0.(MM1.00 

51— Shop  "Q"  12.5.;MMI.,'^M) 

52— Shop  "R"  4.'.0.!M»0.(M) 

5.3— Tinning  and   Plating  shop 23.!MM».(M1 

ryi — Paint     shop .V..(MMI.(M) 

5.5— Shop  connections  A-C,   B-D,   G-I  and   H-K - 3<M1.000.(M) 

56 — Central   heating   plant OlO.iHKKOO 

.57— Boiler  house  "C  "   23..500.fM) 

5H— Boiler    house    shop    "F" :{5.(M10.00 

59— Tractor    laboratory 17.7(MI.00 

60— Rifle   range 5.021.00 

61— Truck    garage 35,500.00 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  83 

MANUFACTURING   SECTION— (Continued) 

02— Filtration    ami    ic-e    plant 54,500.00 

03— Stone     Keservoir , 30.100.00 

04 — I'ump   houise,   north   shore 7,000.00 

05— Pump    house    L-17 1,500.00 

(5(5_Water  tank    (hif-h   tank) 21.400.00 

07- Parkerizing-    plant 0,700.00 

OS— Oil  storage,   Group  No.   5    (filling   station) 3,900.00 

09 — Proving    grounds 2,000.00 

70— Power    dam    (old) 294,.500.00 

Power  dam    (new) 74S.000.00 

71— Truck  shed   (at  truck  garage) 5,000.00 

72— Drv    kiln    (old) 11,121>.00 

73— Dry  kiln   (new) 4,125.00 

74— Drv    kiln    (wheel    spoke) 247,500.00 

75— Drv    kiln    (gun    stock) 374,000.00 

76— Unloading   platform    (shop   "A"   court) 4,900.00 

77— Fulminate    fuse    exploding    vault 90.00  12,58o,069.00 

STOREHOUSE    SECTION 

78— Storehouse    "A"'    147,520.00 

79— Storehouse    '-G'     . 00,0'iO.OO 

80— Storehouse    'F'     31,300.00 

81— Storehouse    "K"    119,700.00 

82- Storehouse    V-1    78,000.00 

S3— Storehouse    V-2    108,000.00 

84— Storehouse    V-3    108,000.00 

85— Storehouse    V-4    108,000.00 

SO— Storehouse    V-5    108,000.00 

87— Storehouse    V-6    108.000.00 

88— Storehouse    V-7    108,000.00 

S9— St(>n>tiouse    V-8    108,000.00 

90— Storehouse     V-9     108,000.00 

91— Storeliouse  V-10   80.333.00 

92— Storehouse  V-11   ■_ 80,333.00 

93— Storehouse   V-12   80.334.00 

94— Storehouse  V-14   05,000.00 

95— Storehouse  V-15   05,000.00 

90— Storeliouse    W-I    1,500.000.00 

97— Storcliouse    X-1     20.277.00 

9,S— Storehouse    X-2     29,277.00 

99— Storeliouse    X-3     29,277.00 

100— Stor.'liiMise    X-4    29.277.00 

101- Storehouse    X-5    29.277.00 

102— Storehouse    X-0    29,277.00 

103— Storehouse    X-7    29.277.i)0 

104— Storehouse    X-8    29.277.00 

105— Storehouse    X-9    29.277.00 

100— Storeliouse  X-10  29.277.00 

107— Storeliouse    Y-1     29,277.00 

108- Storeliouse    Y-2     29,277.00 

109— Storeliouse     Y-3     29.277.00 

110— Storehouse    Y-4    29.277.00 

111— Storehouse    Y-5    29,277.00 

112- Storehouse    Y-0    29,277.00 

113— Storehouse    Y-7    29,277.00 

114— Storehouse    Y-S    29.277.00 

11.5— Storehouse    Y-9    29.277.00 

110— Storehouse  Y-10   29,277.00 

117— Storehouse     Z-1     29.277.00 

J  IS— Storehouse     Z-2     29.277.!I0 

119— Storehouse     Z-3     29.277,00 

120— Storehouse     Z-4     :;9. 277.00 

■J21— Storeliouse     Z-5     29, 277. IK) 

122— Storehouse     Z-0     29,277.00 

123— Storehouse     Z-7     29.277.00 

124— Storehouse     Z-S     29,277.00 

12.5— Storehouse     Z-9     29,277.00 

12(i— Storehouse    Z-10    .29,277.00 

127— Old    Arsenal    liuilding    200,000.00 

12.S— Lumher    shed     (old  ) 14,000.00 

129— Lumber   slied    (north   new) ,S,.500.00 

130 — Lumlier  shed    (center  new) 8,1)00. 00 

131— Lumber  shed    (south   new) S.500.00 

132— Oil  storage,  Group  No.  1   (old  building) 15.000.00 

133— Oil  storage,   Group  No.  1   (new  building) 20,000.00 

134— Oil   storage.   Group   No.   1    (office) 0..500.00 

13.5— Oil  tank.   Group    No.   2 9,700.00 

130— Oil  house  and  tanks.   Group  No.  3 29.(i00.00 

1.37— Oil    house,    "AA"    (storehouse) 23.000.00 

1.38— Storehouse    "M"    (for    steel) 173.000.00 

139— Central  tool  storage   No.  2 4,800.00 

140— Primer  dry    I;-4   8,130.00 

141— Powder  blending  L-5 7.05.5.00 

142— Gun  cotton  dry  L-0  2.320.00 

143— Cave  fulminate  L-7  1,980.00 


84  ROCK       ISLAND      ARSENAL 

STOREHOUSE   SECTION— (Continued) 

14+— Cave  fulminate    L-S   l.DSO.OO 

145— Smokeless   powder   L-9   l.KtW.OO 

14G — Smokeless    powcU-r    L-10    3.!tf,,s.00 

147— Black    powder    L-11    l.Of.s.oO 

14S— T.    N.    T.    L-12    :!.2S0.00 

149— Smokeless   powder  L-13   1,9^*^.00 

ir»0— Smokeless  powder  L-14  l.lHls.OO 

151— T.  N.  T..   L-15  :?.2S0.00 

152— T.  X.  T.,  L-IG :'..2S0.00 

153— Majraziiie    A-1    15.000.00 

154— Scale    house    3.000.00 

155— Tool  shed,  east  side  of  Y-5 000.00  4,708,675.00 

MISCEM.ANEOUS  BUILDINGS 

156— Mess  hall    (cafeteria) 93,000.00 

157 — Davenport  house 500.00 

15S — Fire  and   police  station 27.500.00 

1.^9— Guard  house  Ft.  Armstroufr  ave..  Station   B 5,000.00 

ItiO— Guard  house  Davenport  briil;:e  X.  E.,  Station  C 250.00 

IGl— Guard  house,  main  gate,   Station  D 2.500.00 

1(12- Guard  house.  Moline  bridjie 500.00 

103 — Guard  house,  Kock  Island  viaduct,  south  end.  Station  A 000.00 

1(>4 — Outside    Department 20.100.00 

10.'>— Golf    Club    house 50.000.00 

160 — Shelter  station   (street  car)  Main  and  West  avenue ."520.00 

167— Shelter  station   (street  car)   R.  I.  avenue 320.00 

lOS— Loading   platform    south   of   central   heating:   plant 2,700.00     129.380.00 

Grand   total  valuation  of   perniaiiont   l)uildint:s 5118.005.730.00 

TEMPORARY  BUILDINGS 

ADMINISTRATIVE  BUILDING 

169— Office*  building    Xo.    2 $  01.000.00$      61,000.00 

MILITARY  BUILDINGS 

170— Sheep  shed   (east  of  V-12) 160.00 

171 — Chicken   farm    (except   quarters) 3.730.00 

172— Ward    hospital    11,300.00 

173 — Infautrv   stables,   cow   barn,   hav  shed 6,500.00 

174 — Sheds  at    post  stables 2.62.5.00 

17.V-Barracks    B    37.000.00 

170  -Barracks     C     37.000.00 

177— Barracks    D    45.000.00      143.315.00 

M.\NUFACTURING    SECTION 

178— Shed  court  yard,  A-C  annex l.SOO.OO 

179— Sprav  painting  shed    (east  of  V-10) ."»00.(M) 

ISO— Receiving   room    G    and    1    court 2.040.00          4..340.00 

STOREHOUSE    SECTION 

181- Storehouse    V-12A    8.000.00 

1N2— Oil  shed    (east  of  storehouse  "G"') 1.2(M).00 

!«{- Storehouse    'BA"    19.000.00 

l.vi — Storehouse    'GA"    19.000.00 

1.S.5— Storehouse    "KA"    19.000.00 

18<;— Storehouse    "MA" 19.000.00 

187 — Machine  gun   storage 1..500.00 

18H— Office    "XYZ"     500.00 

ISO— Machine   storage   shed 2.200.00 

UK) — Shed   in   raw   material  yard 275.00 

191— Shed    north   of   truck    garage ,mM).00 

192— Shed   back   of  storehouse  W-I 30O.(M) 

19.3 — Shed   in   scrap  luml)er   vard 200.00 

194— Shed   (office  north  of  V-10) 2.50.00      299,.S.80.00 

MISCELLANEOUS   BUILDINGS 

19.->— Laboratory   sheds    3..500.00 

190— Shed    west    of    Z-1 27."..O0 

197— Caddv  house    (at  golf  club) LMo.no 

19S — Bicvcle  shed,  shop  B l.Mi.oo 

]!t9— Bicvcle    shed,    shop    D l.jO.OO 

200— Bicvcle  shed,  shop   F 150.00 

201— Bicvcle   shed,    shop    H 150.00 

202— Bicvcle  shed,   shop   M 150.00 

203— Bicycle  shed.   Storehouse   W-1 150.00         4.91.5.00 

Grand    total    valuation    of    temporary    buildings $     .304,795.00 

Grand    total    valuation    of    permanent    buildings 18.005,730.00 

Grand    total   valuation   of  all   buildings $18,310,525.00 


Military  Prison  In  Civil  War 


URING  the  Civil  War,  1861-1865,  Rock  Island  became  the  site  of 
a  military  prison.  It  was  the  policy  of  both  the  Union  and  the 
Confederacy  to  confine  prisoners  of  war  as  far  as  possible  from 
the  battle  lines.  This  Island  answered  very  well  the  need  of  the  gov- 
ernment in  this  connection,  being  hundreds  of  miles  north  of  the 
Mason  and  Dixon  line,  and  comparatively  easy  to  guard.  Besides,  the  War 
Department  already  claimed  the  ground  and  there  was  abundant  room. 

Extensive  barracks  for  prisoners  were  built  during  the  summer  of 
1863.  Construction  of  buildings  was  in  charge  of  Captain  C.  A.  Reynolds, 
U.  S.  Quartermaster's  Department,  and  they  were  intended  to  accommodate 
13,000  men. 

Barracks  were  placed  on  the  north  side  of  the  Island  near  the  river 
front  and  about  midway  between  the  east  and  west  ends.     The  prison  took 


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Map  of  Island  drawn  in  1870,  showing  location  of  prisoners'  barracks  in  central  part  near  north  side.      At  that  time,  it  will 
be  observed,  improvements  were  few  and  the  land  was  nearly  all  covered  with  trees. 


the  form  of  a  rectangle,  covering  about  twelve  acres.  The  four  sides  faced 
the  main  points  of  the  compass,  the  northeast  corner  being  opposite  the 
lower  end  of  Pappoose  Island.  There  were  fourteen  rows  of  one-story 
buildings,  extending  east  and  west,  six  in  a  row.  Each  was  100  feet  in  length 
and  20  feet  in  width,  with  windows  in  the  sides  and  doors  in  the  ends.  They 
were  not  plastered  or  painted,  but  otherwise  were  well  constructed  and 
as  comfortable  as  the  use  to  which  they  were  put  demanded  that  they 
should  be.    A  kitchen  was   located   in  one  end  of  each  buildinsf.     Double- 


86 


ROCK 


I   S   L  A   X   D       A   K  S   !•:   X   A  L 


decked  bunks  were  proNided  for  sleepinsjf  purposes,  each  building  ht)using 
120  men.  A  main  avenue  divided  the  seven  rows  on  the  north  from  the  seven 
on  the  south.     This  avenue  was  50  feet  wide. 

Though  intended  to  house  13,000  prisoners,  there  never  were  tiiat  many 
in  the  prison.  The  death  rate  was  high.  1.961  men  expiring  of  disease  in  a 
period  of  two  years.  A  few  prisoners  escajjed  and  several  were  killed 
in  the  attempt  to  do  so. 

East  of  the  main  shop  buildings  and  south  of  Main  avenue  is  the 
cemetery  in  which  Confederate  dead  lie  buried.  They  were  interred  in 
long  trenches,  bodies  being  placed  in  wooden  boxes,  laid  about  two  feet 
apart.  At  the  head  of  each  grave  is  a  permanent  marker,  giving  name, 
regiment  and  state  of  deceased. 

Farther  east  is  the  cemetery  for  Union  soldiers.  Here  are  buried 
about  five  hundred  men.  Many  of  these  served  at  the  local  post,  but  the 
burial  grounds  are  open  to  receive  the  remains  of  any  American  soldier. 
At  this  cemetery  it  is  the  custom  to  hold  services  each  Memorial  Day, 
exercises  being  under  the  auspices  of  the  veterans'  organizations  of  the 
vicinity. 

Both  burial  grounds  are  surrounded  by  trees  and  guarded  by  old  cannon, 
and  the  premises  are  carefully  maintained. 


Entrance  to  Confedrrale  cemetrrv,  wherr  the  remains  of  2,0(K)  prisonrr:?  were  inlerretJ. 


The  Arsenal's  Water  Power 


HE  water  power  of  the  Rock  Island  rapids  was  one  of  the  main 
factors  which  determined  the  selection  of  its  present  site  for  the 
location  in  the  Mississippi  valley  of  an  Arsenal  for  the  manufacture 
of  military  supplies.  Jefiferson  Davis,  while  Secretary  of  War, 
wrote  in  1854  to  the  United  States  Senate  Committee  on  Public 
Lands  as  follows : 

"I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  10th 
instant,  asking  the  views  of  this  department  as  to  the  expediency  of  selling 
the  military  reser\ation  at  Fort  Armstrong,  on  Rock  Island.  Illinois,  as 
contemplated  by  Senate  Bill  No.   195. 

"The  water  power  available  at  that  place,  and  the  communication  by 
water  and  railroads,  projected  or  in  the  course  of  construction,  concur  with 
other  circumstances  in  rendering  Rock  Island  one  of  the  most  advantageous 
sites  in  the  whole  western  country  for  the  construction  of  an  Armory  or 
an  Arsenal  for  the  manufacture  of  wagons,  clothing,  or  other  military 
supplies." 

Water  power  in  the  south  channel,  near  the  head  of  the  Island,  was 
developed  by  private  enterprise  in  1843,  long  before  there  was  any  clearly 
defined  plan  to  erect  a  manufacturing  Arsenal  at  this  point.  AVhen  the 
War  Department  started  the  erection  of  factory  Ijuildings  the  Moline  Water 
Power  Company  already  had  acquired  such  power  rights  as  a  charter  from 
the  State  of  Illinois  could  confer,  and  had  a  considerable  investment  in  its 
plant.     Power  was  being  supplied  to  a  numljer  of  nearby  factories. 

After  extended  negotiations,  the  Power  Company,  in  1867,  subscribed 
to  an  agreement  relinquishing  its  rights  to  the  government,  being  pledged 
in  return  the  free  use  of  one-fourth  of  the  power  derived  from  existing 
or  subsequent  development  of  the  premises,  together  with  the  privilege  of 
renting  whatever  surplus  there  might  be  after  the  needs  of  the  Arsenal  were 
supplied.  The  government,  under  this  compact,  assumed  all  cost  of  develop- 
ment and  maintenance.  In  pursuance  of  the  terms  laid  down,  the  govern- 
ment erected  a  dam  wall  parallel  to  the  Illinois  shore  of  the  channel  south 
of  the  Island,  with  numerous  flume  openings,  and  later  constructed,  farther 
along  this  channel  and  closer  to  the  site  chosen  for  the  x\rsenal  shops,  a 
second  dam,  known  as  the  government  dam. 

In  1895  the  government  closed  all  the  openings  in  the  first  dam  wall, 
known  as  the  upper  dam,  and  erected  a  new  dam,  located  at  the  west  of  the 
first  structure,  where  the  openings  were  concentrated  and  from  which  power 
is  now  being  developed. 


88 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


The  abandoned  tail-race  resulting  fruni  the  closing  of  the  openings  in 
the  upper  dam  wall  was  filled,  and  over  a  section  of  the  filled  portion  the 
D.  R.  L  Si  N.  W.  railroad  is  now  operating  its  line,  extending  service  to  the 
adjacent  factories  in  Moline. 

Fall  in  the  river  from  the  foot  of  the  Island  to  the  head  of  the  original 
wing  dam  at  the  upper  end  was  about  seven  and  one-half  feet,  but  in  1899 
the  dam  was  extended  longitudinally  up  stream  about  two  and  one-half 
miles,  to  what  is  known  as  the  head  of  Duck  Creek  chain,  and  the  head  of 
water  was  increased  to  about  fourteen  feet,  at  rest,  or  more  than  eleven 
feet  when  in  operation.     Commenting  upon  the  success  of  this  improvement. 


Present  power  dam,  viewed  from  below. 


Major  iJluiit,  under  whose  administration  as  Commandant  the  work  was 
done,  in  an  address  to  Tri-City  business  men  in  1901,  stated  that  there  had 
been  provided  "a  volume  of  water  which  it  was  recently  found  could  not  be 
materially  diminished,  even  when  all  the  gates  in  the  two  power  dams  were 
simultaneously  opened." 

Following  the  improvement  of  conditions  above  the  dam,  the  channel 
below  it  was  excavated,  the  tail-race  was  widened  and  deepened  and  the 
united  channel,  extending  from  the  juncture  of  the  canal  south  of  Sylvan 
Island  (the  tail-race  from  the  upper  dam)  with  that  of  the  government  dam 
to  the  point  where  it  reaches  the  decj)  water  below  the  lower  point  of  the 
Island,  was  straightened. 

Forty-one  openings  for  water  wheels  were  provided  in  the  dam  at 
the  time  the  government  reconstructed  it  in  1890,  but  only  eight  of  the 
number  of  openings  provided  were  utilized  and  turbines  installed  therein. 
Because  of  the  type  of  wheel  and  the  low  head  of  water,  but  35  horse-power 
was  developed  from  each  wheel,  the  total  being  but  280  horse-power.    This 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  89 

amount,  however,  sufficed  for  the  limited  operations  of  the  Arsenal  prior 
to  the  Spanish-American  war.  When  that  conflict  broke  it  was  necessary 
to  supplement  the  water  power  with  steam  power,  which  was  provided  at 
considerable  additional  expense. 

Needs  of  the  War  Department  for  additional  facilities  for  the  manu- 
facture of  small  arms  became  apparent  at  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the 
war  with  Spain,  as  it  was  found  that  the  equipment  at  the  Springfield  Armory, 
which  prior  to  this  time  furnished  a  sufficient  output  for  the  requirements  of 
the  army  on  a  peace  footing,  was  wholly  inadequate  to  meet  the  needs  on  a 
war  footing.  As  buildings  and  other  facilities  were  already  available  at  Rock 
Island  Arsenal,  the  original  plans  contemplating  use  of  the  north  row  of 
shops  for  Armory  purposes,   it  was  natural   to  turn  to  this   plant   for  help. 

The  south  or  Arsenal  row  of  shops  required  a  minimum  of  600  horse- 
power and  the  Armory  row,  fully  equipped,  would  need  as  much  more. 
To  supply  the  combined  requirements  of  the  Arsenal  and  give  a  liberal 
surplus  over  minimum  needs,  14  new  turbines  of  improved  design  were 
installed  at  the  power  plant.  Each  was  capable  of  developing  from  125  to 
150  horse-power,  depending  upon  the  stage  of  water,  or  from  1,750  to  2,100 
horse-power,  taken  together.  In  addition,  at  the  time  of  reconstruction  of 
the  dam,  provision  was  made  for  installing  seven  more  wheels,  which  would 
bring  the  total  horse-power  developed  up  to  from  2,500  to  3,000,  which  was 
deemed  sufficient  to  meet  the  Arsenal's  needs,  as  far  as  it  was  possible  to 
anticipate  them  at  that  time. 

The  installation  in  1899-1900  provided  for  fourteen  50-inch  Lefifel  wheels 
and  two  500-kilowatt  three-phase  alternating  current  generators,  with  their 
exciters.  The  w^heels  transmitted  their  power  through  heavy  bevel  gearing 
to  a  long,  horizontal  shaft  on  which  the  generators  were  mounted  and  ar- 
ranged so  that  either  generator  could  be  connected  with  either  exciter  and 
operated  by  either  of  the  two  groups  of  seven  turbines  as  separate  units, 
or  the  whole  plant  could  be  connected  and  operated  as  a  single  unit.  Some 
five  years  later  this  equipment  was  supplemented  with  six  more  wheels  of 
similar  type  and  a  650-kilowatt  generator  was  installed,  thereby  complet- 
ing the  plant  as  planned  at  the  time  the  dam  was  reconstructed. 

Distance  from  the  source  of  power  at  the  dam  to  its  place  of  application 
in  the  shops  is  considerable,  being  about  two  thousand  feet.  Transmission 
of  power  was  one  of  the  earlier  problems  of  the  Arsenal.  General  Rodman 
proposed  the  use  of  compressed  air,  while  General  Flagler  installed  a 
continuous  shaft.  As  neither  method  was  feasible,  a  wire  cable  was  resorted 
to  as  being  most  reliable  and  economical.  Power  was  transmitted  by  this 
cable  over  successive  sheave  wheels  from  the  dam  to  the  shops,  the  sheave 
wheels  being  supported  by  aerial  towers.  When  the  plant  was  modernized, 
immediately  after  the  Spanish-American  war,  the  old  cable  transmission 
line  was  replaced  by  electricity. 


90 


ROCK 


1   S   L  A   N   D       ARSENAL 


T(i  carry  the  transmission  wires  to  the  shops  a  concrete  subway  or 
tunnel  was  constructed  from  the  chun  to  the  two  shops  at  the  eastern  end 
of  the  north  and  south  rows.  Cross  tunnels  were  run  untler  each  row  of 
buildings,  and  brackets  secured  to  tlie  tunnel  walls,  along  which  the  power 
cables  were  laid.  AH  tunnels  are  lighted  with  incandescent  lamps  set  at  the 
top  of  the  arch,  and  are  seven  feet  in  height  and  wide  enough  to  allow 
comfortable  passage  from  end  to  end,  so  that  conductors  can  be  inspected 
at  any  time.  Separate  motors  were  })laced  in  the  shops  for  independent 
operation  of  the  different  main  lines  of  shafting,  for  elevators,  etc. 

In  1914.  after  it  had  been  in  operation  15  years,  frequent  repairs  and 
mounting  cost  of  upkeep  of  the  water  plant  led  to  consideration  of  plans  for 


Interior  of  power  house,  showing  big  electric  generators. 


replacement  of  the  \arious  units.  The  water  wheels,  which  were  the  best 
available  when  they  were  installed,  alrcad}-  had  become  ol)solete  and  were 
far  less  efhcient  than  the  modern  turbine.  Ilie  combination  of  inefficient 
wheels,  long  shaft  and  bevel  gearing  imoKed  a  great  loss  of  power.  The 
w^orking  head  of  water  averaged  ele\en  feet  or  less,  and  it  recpiired  three 
feet  to  merely  turn  the  generators,  so  that  the  i)lant,  with  a  rated  capacity 
of  2,200  horse-power,  actually  was  generating  only  from  1,300  to  1,400  horse- 
power, or  65  i)er  cent  of  its  sup])osed  capacity.  It  became  evident  that  the 
demands  resulting  from  increased  consumption  of  electrical  energy  in 
the  shops,  together  with  new  uses  constantly  being  found  for  it,  would 
soon  render  the  ])ower  plant  entirely  inadequate.  During  the  tiscal  year 
ending  June  ,^0.  191.^.  a])pro.viniately  3,000,000  kilowatt   hours  of  electricity 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  91 

was  consumed,  and  it  was  necessary  to  purchase  some  power  from  private 
sources. 

The  sundry  civil  appropriation  act  approved  July  1,  1916,  among  other 
things,  contained  a  provision  setting  aside  $5CX),000  "toward  providing  facili- 
ties for  manufacturing  field  artillery  ammunition,  at  a  total  cost  not  exceed- 
ing $1,250,000,  under  a  contract  or  contracts,  or  otherwise,  in  the  discretion 
of  the  Secretary  of  War."  The  estimate  forming  the  basis  for  this  appro- 
priation included  the  project  for  increasing  the  water  power  at  Rock  Island 
Arsenal.  It  was  found  that  the  most  economical  and  satisfactory  method 
of  doing  so  was  to  construct  a  new  concrete  dam  in  the  rear  of  and  at  an 
angle  with  the  existing  dam,  and  to  install  therein  eight  large  generator 
units  and  two  exciter  units  of  modern  type,  giving,  with  an  eleven  foot 
operating  head,  approximately  3,760  horse-power.  This  was  done,  the  im- 
provement being  ready  for  use  June  1,  1919. 

The  present  plan  consists  of  eight  alternators  with  a  capacity  of  430 
KVA  each  at  80  per  cent  power  factor,  generating  2,400  volt,  three  phase,  60- 
cycle  current.  Generators  are  of  the  vertical  type,  direct  connected  to  water 
turbines. 

Underground  distribution  was  installed  from  the  new  power  plant  to 
the  sub-stations  in  the  various  shops,  distribution  being  at  2,300  volts, 
stepped  down  to  550  volts  at  the  sub-stations  for  operation  of  motors,  etc. 
Each  sub-station  is  arranged  for.  one  power  feeder,  one  light  feeder  and  an 
emergency  feeder  which  is  capable  of  caring  for  both  the  power  and  lighting 
at  that  particular  sub-station.  The  feeder  distribution  and  transformers 
installed  are  capable  of  taking  care  of  6,600  KVA,  which  was  about  peak 
load  at  the  Arsenal  during  the  late  war. 

Acts  of  Congress  making  appropriations  for  the  development  of  water 
power  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  are  as  follows: 

Act  of  June  27,  1866 $  100,000 

Act  of  June  8,  1868 80,000 

Act  of  March  3,  1869....._ 150,000 

Act  of  July  15,  1870 200.000 

Act  of  March  3,  1871 _ _ 200,000 

Act  of  June   10.   1872 110,000 

Act  of  March  3,  1873 _ 18,000 

Act  of  June  23,  1874 __ 5,400 

Act  of  March  3,  1881-.. _ 50.000 

Act  of  August  7,  1882 100.000 

Act  of  March  3,   1883 20,000 

Act  of  July  7,  1884 18,500 

Act  of  Oct.  2,  1888 275.000 

Act  of  August  30,  1890 101,000 

Act  of  July  1,  1898 45,000 


92  ROCK      ISLAND      ARSENAL 

Act  of  March  3,  1899 21,350 

Act  of  March  3.  1901 130,500 

Total   $1,624,750 

Extraordinary  repairs  to  the   Rock   Island  Arsenal  water   power  have 
called  for  the  following  appropriations. 

Act  of  October  2.  1888 $.-  25.000 

Act  of  Angust  18.  1894 30,000 

Act  of  March  2,  1895 37,500 

Act  of  Tune  4.  1897 28.150 

Act  of  "lune  6.  1900 97,000 

Act  of  May  27,  1908..... 28,500 

Total $    246.150 


»^¥t'  #^.:^||^: 


One  of  the  many  original  forest  trees  seen  along  driveways  on  the  Island. 


Improvement  of  the  Rock  Island  Rapids 


LOSELY  linked  with  development  of  water  power  for  use  of  the 
Arsenal  has  been  the  improvement  of  the  Rock  Island  rapids  for 
purposes  of  navigation.  Measures  taken  to  create  a  head  of  water 
sufficient  for  Arsenal  needs  have  been  of  incidental  help  in  deep- 
ening the  channel  of  the  stream  and  furnishing  slack  water  naviga- 
tion over  the  swiftest  and  most  dangerous  part  of  the  rapids.  The  Island's 
shores  form  the  bank  of  the  present  power  pool,  and  almost  inevitably  will 
perform  a  similar  function  in  any  future  hydro-electric  development  that 
may  be  attempted. 

In  the  early  days  of  Mississippi  river  navigation  the  Rock  Island  rapids 
constituted  a  serious  and  at  times  an  almost  insurmountable  obstacle  to  boats. 
Fourteen  miles  in  length,  from  LeClaire  down  to  the  present  Rock  Island 
bridge,  with  a  fall  of  20  feet  at  low  water,  there  always  was  a  strong  current. 
Fourteen  chains  of  upheaved  limestone  crossed  the  stream  in  that  distance, 
and  the  channel  was  tortuous. 

Prior  to  the  beginning  of  improvements  the  rapids  were,  in  extremely 
low  stages,  impassable  to  boats  and  barges  of  the  larger  type.  In  1863, 
and  again  in  1864,  it  was  necessary  for  a  time  to  transfer  freight  and  pas- 
sengers around  the  rapids  by  rail.  Boats  frequently  were  wrecked  and 
groundings  on  the  rocks  were  almost  of  daily  occurrence.  Rafts  of  logs 
and  lumber  often  were  broken  up. 

The  first  steamboat  to  pass  over  the  rapids  arrived  at  Fort  Armstrong 
May  23,  1823.  It  was  the  "Virginia,"  from  the  Ohio  river,  and  passed  on 
up  to  the  Galena  river  and  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Peter,  now  known  as  the 
Minnesota  river. 

Surveys  were  made  at  an  early  date,  but  Congress  did  not  see  fit  to 
provide  funds  for  improvements  for  a  number  of  years.  The  first  survey 
was  made  by  Lieutenant  Napoleon  B.  Bufort,  in  1829.  A  second  one  was 
made  in  1836.  Robert  E.  Lee,  then  a  lieutenant,  and  later  head  of  the  Con- 
federate armies,  made  the  third  survey,  with  a  view  of  removing  some 
of  the  navigation  hazards  from  the  channel.  That  was  in  1837,  but  it  was 
1857  before  any  actual  work  was  done.  In  that  year  some  rock  was  taken 
out,  and  then  there  was  a  total  lapse  of  activities  for  another  decade.  Since 
1867  work  has  been  fairly  continuous  in  one  form  or  another,  and  the  present 
year  is  expected  to  see  the  original  object  practically  realized,  and  the 
rapids  made  as  safe  for  river  craft  as  any  other  part  of  the  stream  now 
considered    navigable. 

First  excavation  of  rock  was  done  inside  of  cofferdams.  Later  chisel 
boats  and   dredges  were   employed,  the   chisel,  weighing  about  three  and 


94 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  95 

one-half  tons,  breaking  up  the  rock,  which  was  scooped  up  by  the  dredges. 
This  method  gave  way  to  that  of  drilling  and  blasting,  with  removal  of 
rock  by  dredging,  as  is  now  done. 

First  appropriation  for  removal  of  rock  from  the  channel  was  made 
by  Congress  in  1852.  During  the  years  from  1867  to  1882  efforts  of  the 
river  engineers  were  directed  to  the  opening  of  a  channel  200  feet  in  width, 
excavated  in  the  rock.  This  work  was  done  in  carrying  out  a  project 
approved  by  Congress  in  1879,  calling  for  a  channel  of  a  minimum  depth  of 
four  and  one-half  feet  from  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri  to  the  head  of  naviga- 
tion. Subsequently,  in  1907,  Congress  passed  an  act  providing  for  a  minimum 
depth  of  six  feet  in  the  section  of  the  river  indicated,  and  later  projects  on 
the  rapids  have  conformed  to  this  standard. 

Construction  of  closing  and  wing  dams  to  confine  the  channel  and 
aid  in  deepening  it  was  commenced  in  1890.  Up  to  that  time  spoil  from 
excavation  was  deposited  in  various  places  outside  of  the  channel. 

Practically  all  improvements  in  the  rapids  have  been  made  by  use  of 
government-owned  equipment,  operated  by  day  laljor,  and  directed  by  War 
Department    engineers. 

The  power  pool  at  Moline  was  originally  created  by  building  a  rock 
dam  about  one-half  mile  up  the  river,  parallel  with  the  shore,  from  Ben- 
ham's  Island,  north  of  and  just  below  the  head  of  Rock  Island.  This  was 
extended  three  miles  farther  upstream  in  1898.  Another  dam  connected  the 
two  islands  named.  These  dams  virtually  cut  off  the  city  of  Moline  from 
benefits  of  river  transportation,  since  l^oats  entering  the  pool  were  forced 
to  go  around  the  head  of  the  longitudinal   dam. 

The  River  and  Harbttr  Act  passed  in  March,  1905,  provided  for  the 
remedying  of  this  situation.  It  appropriated  money  for  the  building  of 
a  lock  and  dam  at  the  foot  of  Benham's  Island,  thus  obviating  the  detour 
to  gain  access  to  the  channel,  and  also  set  on  foot  the  excavation  of  a  250-foot 
passageway  for  boats,  four  feet  deep,  throughout  the  entire  length  of  the 
pool.  The  lock  and  dam  were  built  in  1907,  the  cost  being  $386,000.  Later 
the  longitudinal  dam  was  reconstructed  with  a  concrete  core  to  prevent 
leakage,  and  a  concrete  apron  to  check  erosion  in  high  stages  of  the  river, 
when  the  dam  became  a  spillway,  relieving  the  pool  of  surplus  water.  By 
stopping  leakage  and  making  a  slight  extension  of  the  main  dam,  together 
with  the  building  of  back  water  dams,  the  head  of  water  in  the  pool  was 
increased  one  and  one-half  feet,  giving  a  channel  depth  of  approximately 
six  feet  and  conforming  to  the  general  plan  for  river  improvement. 

With  the  completion  of  this  work,  practically  all  river  traffic  was 
diverted  through  the  pool  and  lock,  thus  avoiding  the  worst  part  of  the 
rapids.    A  difficult  stretch  of  river  remained,  however,  between  LeClaire  and 


96  ROCK       ISLAND      ARSENAL 

what  is  known  as  the  Hampton  pool.     Lateral  dams  had  been  built  to  raise 
the  water,  but  the  channel  was  narrow  and  the  current  swift. 

In  1888  maps  were  prepared  by  a  board  of  engineers  with  a  view  to  the 
creation  of  a  longitudinal  canal  connecting  the  head  of  the  rapids  with  the 
Hampton  pool,  three  miles  below.  With  the  adoption  of  the  six-foot  channel 
project  the  subject  was  further  investigated,  and  it  was  determined  to  build 
the  canal  on  the  Iowa  side.  Plans  called  for  a  longitudinal  dam  to  the  head 
of  Smith's  Island,  which  was  to  form  the  south  bank  for  about  a  mile,  thus 
obviating  much  work.  The  height  of  the  dam  was  to  be  six  and  one-half  feet 
above  low  water  at  the  upper  end,  to  serve  as  a  spillway  in  floods,  and  the 
lower  part  was  to  be  above  high  water  mark.  Below  the  island  a  dam  and 
lock  were  provided  for.     The  original  estimate  of  cost  was  $1,282,797. 

Work  was  begun  in  1914  and  is  being  continued  at  the  present  time. 
Delay  has  been  caused  by  failure  of  Congress  to  make  consecutive  appro- 
priations, but  it  is  expected  that  the  lock  will  be  ready  for  use  at  the  opening 
of  the  1923  navigation  season. 

The  LeClaire  canal  project  involved  construction  of  cofferdams  and 
the  removal  of  much  rock  in  the  upper  section.  This  has  made  the  work 
slow  and  costly.  The  lock  at  the  lower  end  of  the  canal  is  80  feet  wide 
and  350  feet  long,  with  a  lift  of  six  feet  at  low  water. 

Upon  completion  of  this  project  the  Rock  Island  rapids  will  no  longer 
be  an  obstruction  to  navigation.  A  safe  channel  with  a  depth  of  not 
less  than  six  feet  and  not  less  than  200  feet  wide,  with  no  swift  water,  and 
with  two  locks  capable  of  passing  the  largest  boats  and  barges,  will  be 
available. 

But  a  small  part  of  the  potential  power  of  the  Rock  Island  rapids  is 
developed  by  the  present  hydro-electric  plant,  and  considerable  attentitin 
has  been  given  to  the  subject  of  extending  the  scope  of  the  project.  Maps 
and  plans  have  been  prepared  looking  to  furthering  the  undertaking  both 
by  the  government  and  by  private  interests. 

Flow  of  the  Mississippi  at  this  point  varies  from  20,000  to  200.000  cubic 
feet  per  second,  depending  upon  the  stage  of  water,  and  this,  with  a  20-foot 
fall,  forms  the  basis  for  varying  estimates  of  the  power  possibilities  in- 
volved. 

It  is  apparent  that  any  increase  of  water  power  utilization  that  takes  place 
holds  important  possibilities  for  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  pro\idcd  the  work  is 
done  by  the  government,  or  under  govcrmnent  supervision,  and  the  plan  of 
operation  be  so  arranged  that  the  needs  of  the  x\rsenal  shall  be  fully  pro- 
vided for  before  any  diversion  of  power  for  private  use  is  permitted. 


Bridging  the  Mississippi 


P  to  the  time  when  the  present  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  Rail- 
road Company  completed  its  bridge  from  Rock  Island  to  the  Daven- 
port shore,  in  1856,  the  channel  of  the  Mississippi  never  had  been 
spanned.  The  remains  of  the  si'nth  pier  of  the  first  bridge  to  cross 
the  stream  may  yet  be  seen  on  the  Island  shore,  about  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  above  the  present  structure. 

This  original  bridge  was  of  wood,  of  what  is  known  as  the  Howe  truss 
type.  It  was  a  single  decker,  with  room  for  Init  one  railroad  track.  There 
were  six  spans,  t:  e  draw  si)an  l)eing  250  feet  in  length.  The  first  locomo- 
tive, ])ulling  a  few  empt}-  cars,  crossed  April  21.   1856. 

Compared  with  later  triumphs  of  the  bridg;e  builder's  c.rt.  this  old 
structure  was  crude  and  inadecjuate,  and  was  dt)omed  to  dv:?monstrate  its 
shortcomings  in  a  variety  of  ways.  Fifteen  days  after  it  was  opened  the 
steamer  "EFfie  Afton,"  bound  down  stream,  crashed  against  the  draw  span 
pier,  took  fire  and  burned,  igniting  the  span,  which  also  was  consumed.  The 
hull  of  the  l)oat  drifted  a  couple  of  miles  down  stream  and  sank.  (Jther 
craft  subsecpiently  came  to  grief  at  this  point,  and  rafts  frecpiently  met 
with  disaster.     There  was  much  property  loss  and  some  loss  of  life. 

Constructed,  as  it  was,  at  the  height  of  the  usefulness  of  the  steamboat, 
when  a  score  of  packet  lines  plied  the  upper  ri\er  and  hundreds  of  rafts 
of  logs  and  lumber  were  brought  down  from  the  north  each  season,  the 
bridge  was  not  popular  with  the  ri\er  men.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  it  greatly 
complicated  the  feat  of  successfully  negotiating  the  already  dangerous 
rapids,  being  built  just  below  the  most  ditficult  stretch  of  the  rock-infested 
channel.  To  make  matters  even  worse,  the  draw  span  was  not  set  scpiarely 
across  the  current. 

In  the  s])ring  of  1868  the  ice.  in  moving  out.  caught  the  first  pier  from 
the  Iowa  side  and  pushed  it  down  stream  25  feet.  xA  few^  weeks  later  a 
windstorm  from  the  west  rolled  the  draw  span  over  on  its  side,  so  that  it 
hung  suspended  on  the  pier.  These  various  accidents  made  it  necessary 
practically  to  rebuild  the  bridge  piecemeal. 

The  accident  to  the  "Effie  Afton"  led  to  a  lawsuit  in  which  the  owners 
of  the  boat  endeavored  to  reco\er  damages  from  the  bridge  com])any. 
Abraham  Lincoln  was  one  of  the  attorneys  for  the  defense.  Lincoln  con- 
tended that  the  right  to  navigate  a  stream  w^as  no  more  fundamental  than 
the  right  to  cross  it,  and  that,  therefore,  the  fact  that  the  steamboat  antedated 
the  bridge  in  this  case  added  nothing  to  the  merits  of  the  plaintifif's  cause. 


98 


ROCK       ISLAND       A    R   S    R   N  A   L 


'IMie  jury  disagreed,  which  was  regarded  as  a  triunipli   ior  the  defense,  in 
view  of  adverse  public  sentiment. 

Under  the  a(hiiinistration  of  Col.  Jordan  as  Connnandant  at  the  Arsenal 
steps  were  taken  to  permanently  repair  the  old  pier  of  the  original  bridge, 
which  had  been  retained  as  a  memorial  of  the  first  bridge  crossing  the  Miss- 
issippi, and  which  was  crumbling  away.  The  weakened  parts  were  bound 
up  w  ith  concrete  and  a  metal  tablet  with  suital)le  inscrijjtion  was  placed  upon 
it. 

When  Rock  Island  was  set  aside  for  Arsenal  purposes  in  the  early  60's 
the  question  of  bridges  became  one  of  much  importance.  Means  of  access 
to   the   surrounding  cities   must   be   pro\ided.   and   the   government   at   once 


Original  Rock  Island  bridge,  viewed  from  the  Illinois  shore  below  the  Island.     This  structure  was  opened  in  18.">6,  and 
was  the  first  thrown  across  the  Mississippi  at  anv  point. 


took  charge  of  the  situation.  An  agreement  with  the  Rock  Island  road 
was  effected  for  the  removal  of  its  tracks  t(j  the  western  end  of  the  Island, 
iind  the  joint  construction  by  the  railroad  and  government  of  a  new  steel 
bridge  on  the  site  of  the  present  one  across  the  main  channel. 

Work  on  the  second  bridge  was  completed  in  l"\'l)rnarv.  1872,  and  it 
was  turned  (»ver  to  the  War  Department  fou'-  nmntlis  later.  (  )riginally  this 
bridge  was  intended  for  use  in  transaction  of  go\  ernment  business  only, 
and  not  as  a  thoroughfare  between  the  Illinois  and  Iowa  shores.  There  was 
much  local  criticism  of  the  course  pursued,  but  Captain  Flagler,  the  Com- 
mandant, wild  bad  just  improved  and  opened  the  present  Fort  Armstrong 
avenue,  threw  the  main  bridge  open  {<<  the  iiul)lic  sliortly  after  it  was  placed 
in  his  hands. 

The  second  bridge  was  1.550  feet  long,  five  spans  and  draw,  and  cost 
about  a  million  dollars.  It  was  a  double-deck,  two-track  bridge,  with  foot- 
paths on  the  sides  below,  the  same  as  the  bridge  of  this  day. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


99 


Heavier  traffic,  especially  use  of  larger  locomotives  and  railway  cars, 
made  it  necessary  to  replace  the  second  bridge  with  a  new  steel  structure  in 
1894-95.  The  old  piers  were  used.  Ralph  Modjeska,  son  of  the  famous  act- 
ress, and  to  this  day  one  of  the  leaders  in  his  profession,  was  the  engineer  in 
charge  of  the  work. 


nd  Rock  Island  bridge,  completed  in  1872. 


The  trusses  of  the  present  bridge,  which  provides  for  street  railway, 
as  well  as  railroad,  vehicle  and  foot  traffic,  are  calculated  to  carry  a  moving 
load  of  11,360  pounds  per  lineal  foot,  8,000  on  the  railroad  floor  above  and 
3,360  pounds  on  the  lower  floor.  The  draAv  span,  one  of  the  heaviest  in  exist- 
ence at  the  time  it  was  built,  weighs  2,500,000  pounds.  The  first  span  at 
the  north  is  260  feet  long,  the  second,  third  and  fourth  are  220  feet,  and  the 
fifth  260  feet.  The  draw  span,  which  touches  the  Island  shore,  is  368  feet 
in  length,  with  an  opening  on  either  side  for  river  traffic  of  162  feet.  The 
railroad  approach  span  on  the  Iowa  side  is  200  feet  in  length  and  that  at  the 
south  end  about   100  feet. 

The  first  bridge  connecting  the  Island  with  the  City  of  Rock  Island 
was  a  wooden  aflr'air,  and  belonged  to  the  municipality.  This  the  govern- 
ment bought  soon  after  the  construction  of  the  Arsenal  was  begun.  In 
the  spring  of  1868  this  bridge  was  carried  away  by  the  ice  and  was  succeeded, 
as  soon  as  an  appropriation  for  the  purpose  could  be  secured,  by  one  of 
steel.  This  later  was  elevated  at  the  south  end  and  a  viaduct  built  across 
the   railroad   tracks  on   the   river   bank. 

Moline  owned  the  original  bridge  connecting  that  city  with  the  Island. 
The  government  bought  this  in  1868,  and  replaced  it  with  the  present  steel 
bridge  in  1873. 

The  railroad  and  street  railway  bridges  from  the  Island  to  the  Illinois 
shore  are  under  control  of,  though  not  built  by,  the  government. 


100  R  U   L"   K       1   S  L  A   X   D       ARSENAL 

All    told    Congress    has    appropriated    $1,310,550    for    l)ridges    at    Rock 
Island,  as  fcdlows : 

Act  of  March  2.  1867 $  200.000 

Act  of  July  25.   1868 100.000 

Act  of  March  3.  1869 500.000 

Act  ..f  July  15.  1870.., 300.000 

.\ct  ..f  March  2.  1889 35.000 

.\ct  of  March  28.  1896 96.000 

Act  of  June  11.  1896 10.200 

.\ct  of  May  27.  1908 9.350 

Act  of  March  4.  1909 60.000 

Total    $1,310,550 


ROCK       ISLAND       A  R  S  E  N  A  L  101 

Being  the  only  artery  for  use  of  street  cars,  vehicles  and  pedestrians 
between  the  Rock  Island  and  Davenport  shores,  the  Rock  Island  bridge 
noM^  bears  a  traffic  which  at  times  tests  the  capacity  of  the  lower  deck. 
When  heavy  movements  of  freight  are  on  the  railroad  tracks,  there,  also,  are 
scenes   of   much   activity. 

Records  of  traffic,  both  across  the  bridge  and  up  and  down  the  river, 
liave  been  kept  from  the  beginning,  and  a  comparison  of  the  figures  from 
year  to  year  is  enlightening.  While  travel  across  the  stream  has  grown 
rapidly,  there  has  been  a  rapid  falling  off  in  the  use  of  the  river.  The 
record  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30.  1921,  follows: 

Total        Average 
Number     Per  Day 

Engines,    36,385  100 

Passenger  cars.. ._ 98,568  270 

Freight  cars .....:. 469,334  1.286 

Street  cars 162,688  445 

Pedestrians 810,142  2.220 

Vehicles 3,296,064  9,030 

Steamboats 1,607  7   (for  8  months) 

Barges 1,466  6  (for  8  months) 

Compare  the  foregoing  with  the  figures  for  the  fiscal  year  ending- 
June  30,  1874: 

Total        Average 
Number     Per  Day 

Engines  3,725  10 

Passenger  cars -..- 9,088  25 

Freight  cars 120,775  331 

Pedestrains _ 338,786  938 

Vehicles 290.940  797 

Steam  boats 1.672  7   (for  8  months) 

Barges _ 444  2   (for  8  months) 

Rafts,  lumber  and  logs 583  2^Mfor  8  months) 

Street  cars  None 

The  maximum  load  for  a  freight  car  in  1874  was  30.000  pounds  ;  in  1921 
115.000  pounds.  The  583  rafts  that  passed  through  the  bridge  in  1874  had 
an  average  of  2.000.000  feet,  board  measure,  or  a  total  of  1,166,000,000  feet. 
In  the  seventies  and  early  eighties,  there  were  17  side-wheel  packets  plying 


102 


RUCK       I   S  L  A   X   D       A   R  S   E   X  A   L 


between  St.  Louis  ami  St.  Paul.     All  of  those  packets  were  about  on  a  par 
with  the  "St.  Paul"  and  "'Quincy"  ui  late  years. 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  records  do  not  indicate  the  decline  in  steam- 
boat traffic  that  actually  has  taken  place  since  1874.  The  truth  is  that  in 
1921  no  packets  passed  through  the  draw,  craft  listed  being  mostly  sand 
dredges  and  government  boats  and  barges  working  on  the  rapids,  with  a  few 
excursion  steamers,  which  ply  the  upper  river  irregularly  during  the  summer 
months. 


Kpfnain-  I'f  thr  Islantl  pier  of  iht-  fir-l  bri'li:*-.  n<>\*  prestTved  as  a  hislorio  relii 


Passenger  Transport 


AYING  out  driveways  on  the  Island  and  building  bridges  connecting 
with  Rock  Island,  Moline  and  Davenport  did  not  fully  solve  the 
question  of  passenger  transportation  to  and  from  Rock  Island 
Arsenal.  Workers  lived  in  the  surrounding  cities,  some  of  them 
several  miles  from  the  scene  of  their  employment,  so  walking  was 
out  of  the  question,  and  in  the  early  days  it  was  impossible  for  all  to  ar- 
range for  private  vehicles. 

The  situation  was  met  at  first  through  the  use  of  horse-drawn  hacks, 
carrying  as  many  men  as  a  team  could  conveniently  haul,  which  collected 
jiassengers  at  given  points,  at  designated  periods  in  the  mornings,  and 
returned  them  to  their  homes  in  the  evenings.  Each  driver  kept  his  own  list 
of  passengers,  and  compensation  was  arranged  on  mutually  agreeable  terms. 

With  the  coming  into  general  use,  early  in  the  90's,  of  the  bicycle,  this 
became  the  favorite  means  of  getting  to  and  from  work  for  many  of  the 
men,  especially  the  younger  ones,  though  the  hacks  continued  to  operate 
till  after  the  coming  of  the  street  car,  which  was  under  the  administration 
of  Colonel  Blunt.  Then  the  Tri-City  Railway  Company  obtained  a  fran- 
chise to  lay  tracks  on  the  Island  extending  from  the  southern  viaduct  on 
Fort  Armstrong  avenue  at  the  west,  past  the  shops,  and  connecting  with  the 
Rock  Island-Moline  lines  by  means  of  a  bridge  across  Sylvan  Water  at 
Forty-second  street,  Rock  Island.  Thereafter  cars  were  operated  on  regular 
schedule  over  this  line,  with  special  cars  starting  from  various  points  in 
the  three  cities  to  collect  workers  in  the  morning  and  returning  them  to  their 
homes  at  the  close  of  the  day. 

Under  Colonel  Blunt,  also,  bicycle  paths  were  laid  out  for  the  safety 
and  convenience  of  those  using  this  method  of  traveling  back  and  forth, 
but  these  became  obsolete  with  the  coming  of  the  automobile  into  general 
use,  and  occupying  part  of  the  building  sites  when  the  vast  expansion  of 
the  late  war  was  begun,  were  discontinued.  Many  Arsenal  workers  now  use 
their  own  automobiles,  though  the  street  cars  continue  to  operate  and  do  the 
greater  part  of  the  passenger  carrying,  and  the  bicycle  still  is  in  favor  with 
some. 

In  time  of  war  the  privilege  of  the  public  to  visit  the  Arsenal  is  of 
necessity  closely  curtailed,  but  ordinarily  restrictions  are  removed  to  the 
limit  considered  compatible  with  the  security  of  the  institution.  Guards 
are  stationed  at  the  entrance  gates  both  day  and  night,  and  passes  are  re- 
quired to  gain  admittance. 

Since  the  main  driveway  through  the  Island  offers  the  shortest  route 
between  Moline  and  Davenport,  it  was  to  have  been  expected  that  efforts 


104 


ROCK       1   S  L  A  X    1)       A    R  S   E   N  A   L 


would  be  made  to  have  it  declared  a  public  thoroughfare.  The  War  De- 
partment, however,  has  consistently  refused  this  concession,  on  the  ground 
tliat  it  would  practically  remove  restrictions  upon  visitors  and  would  greatly 
complicate  the  work  of  guarding  the  \aluable  government  property  at  the 
Arsenal.  'I'hen.  too.  wear  and  tear  on  the  two  miles  of  paving  which  is 
maintained  by  the  War  Department  has  been  an  item  given  consideration. 
A  similar  policy  was  adopted  with  reference  to  the  street  car  line  across  the 
Island,  which  carries  no  through  passengers. 

Reguhitions  respecting  the  care  of  property  are  strictly  enforced. 
\isitors  are  not  allowed  to  picnic  on  the  Island,  or  to  destroy  shrubs, 
flowers  or  trees,  or  to  kill  wild  birds  and  animals,  which  numerously  inhabit 
the  wooded  tracts.  Timber  squirrels  are  common,  as  are  imported  pheasants, 
which  find  the  premises  a  haven  of  refuge.  Among  the  squirrels  are  many  of 
the  l)lack  \arietv.  which  are  not  native  to  the  locality. 


Fori  Arnjhlronp  avpnui-.      Puhlii'  highway  between  bridges  at  west  end  of  Island  ami  side  Iraflir  artery  between 
Illinois  and  Iowa  shores  at  this  point. 


The  Military  Museum 


OR  the  visitor,  nothing  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  holds  greater  interest 
than  the  war  museum,  one  of  the  most  complete  of  its  kind  in  the 
country.  It  contains  nearly  every  fighting  implement  used  l)y  man  in 
the  last  century,  and  some  weapons  common  as  far  back  as  Revolu- 
tionary times.  It  occupies  a  space  60x216  feet  on  the  first  floor  in  the 
southwest  corner  of  Shop  A,  and  the  need  for  more  room  is  increasing] v  felt 
to  house  the  exhibits  constantly  being  added  to  it. 

Prior  to  the  World  War  the  museum  was  relatiAcly  small,  Ijut  since 
that  struggle  it  has  acquired  a  great  variety  of  new  material,  including  man}- 
trophies  captured  from  enemy  armies.  These  help  to  make  the  collection 
one  of  surpassing  interest.  During  the  war  many  of  the  exhibits  were 
boxed  and  stored,  while  the  others  were  placed  on  view  in  the  old  storehouse 
near  the  south  end  of  the  main  bridge.  This  was  done  to  give  more  floor 
space  for  manufacturing  purposes. 

In  the  museum  one  can  trace  the  history  of  the  development  of  the  art 
of  war  even  as  far  back  as  the  day  of  the  spear  and  the  bow  and  arrow,  for 
there  are  included  in  the  collection  the  weapons  of  the  primitive  Indian  of  the 
locality  and  the  wild  natives  of  the  Philippines,  as  well  as  tools  of  destruc- 
tion evolved  by  the  so-called  civilized  nations.  Along  with  the  spear  and  the 
machete  are  samples  of  gaspipe  cannon,  wrapped  with  wire  to  give  greater 
strength,  that  occasionally  have  been  employed  since  the  age  of  gunpowder 
arrived,  to  meet  emergencies  arising  from  lack  of  facilities  to  manufacture 
more  effective  weapons.  Some  of  these  guns  were  used  against  our  own 
soldiers  in  the  Philippine  insurrection. 

Of  cannon  there  is  a  variety  most  complete,  from  the  old  brass  gun 
that  a  man  could  carry  about  and  the  swivel  guns  of  yore,  down  to  cpiick- 
firing  and  destructive  implements  used  in  the  late  war.  So  far  it  has  been 
impracticable  to  show  the  heavier  siege  guns.  There  are,  however,  a  number 
of  mortars  and  howitzers  of  larger  bore.  Among  the  guns  are  some  that 
were  made  for  use  by  the  navy. 

It  would  be  difticult  to  conceive  a  more  complete  collection  of  small 
arms  than  the  one  here  shown.  There  are  revolvers  of  every  tvpe  used  since 
gunpowder  was  invented,  and  rifles  of  every  description.  The  old  flintlocks 
are  here,  and  so  are  the  deadly  automatic  rifles  and  the  sawed-oft'  shotguns 
which  did  such  execution  in  the  \\"orld  \Var.  Not  alone  are  shown  weapons 
made  for  army  use,  but  scores  of  arms  of  jjrivate  manufacture,  especially 
of  the  latter  part  of  the  nineteenth  century,  are  included.  Here  one  sees 
the  weapons  with  which  the  pioneers  of  this  country  established  their  reputa- 
tions for  accurate  shooting,  and  which  exterminated  the  buft'alo  and  forced 
the  Red  Man  into  subjection.  Guns  used  by  foreign  armies  can  be  seen 
and   studied. 


106 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


The  machine  g-uii  exhibit  is  one  of  much  interest,  and  includes  many 
trophies  over  which  sanguinary  struggles  took  place  in  France.  With  the 
machine  guns  is  a  sample  repair  kit  made  by  the  Germans,  and  well  illustrat- 
ing their  trait  of  care  and  thoroughness  in  preparing  for  war.  There  is  also 
a  German  war  map.  drawn  with  infinite  pains  and  delineating  every  topo- 
graphical and  other  feature  that  could  be  of  use  in  planning  and  executing 
military  maneuvres.  Anti-aircraft  guns,  armor,  gas  masks,  bombs  used  by 
aircraft,  torpedoes,  and  most  of  the  devices  used  in  trench  warfare  are  on 
view. 

Included  in  the  artillery  is  an  exact  duplicate  of  the  French  gun  which 
fired  the  first  shot  from  French  soil  at  the  advancing  Germans.  There  are 
several  guns  in  camouflage,  and  a  field  gun  and  caisson  of  an  earlier  type 
appears,  hitched  to  horses  completely  harnessed  and  apparently  ready  for 
marching  orders. 

Of  leather  goods  there  is  a  great  variety,  showing  the  products  of  this 
department  of  the  Arsenal,  which  was  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  world. 
Saddles,  harness  and  the  various  straps  and  other  devices  for  which  an  army 
has  use.  are  all  to  be  seen.  There  is  also  a  wall  exhibit  of  personal  equipment 
sets  made  at  the  Arsenal,  some  of  them  shown  in  course  of  manufacture,  the 
eflFect  of  each  separate  operation  being  indicated.  In  one  corner  is  a 
Liberty  motor  set  up  on  a  block. 

It  is  the  policy  of  the  department  to  add  to  the  exhibits  of  this  museum 
from  time  to  time,  and  to  maintain  it  open  to  the  public,  admission  free, 
subject  only  to  such  rules  and  regulations  as  are  necessary  in  the  circum- 
stances. 


Ar«cnal  Mu«eiim,  showing  a  few  of  the  many  war  rtlirs  on  \new. 


The  Old  Davenport  House 


HE  early  history  of  the  Island,  from  the  founding  of  Fort  Armstrong 
to  the  establishment  of  the  Arsenal  in  1862,  is  largely  a  record  of 
contention  for  possession  of  the  premises.  It  was  apparent  from 
the  first  that  the  land  would  some  day  be  very  valuable,  and  many 
coveted  the  more  desirable  parts  of  it.  Influx  of  settlers  was  accel- 
erated at  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  which  put  an  end  to  Indian 
depredations  and  assured  the  safety  of  the  white  man.  After  that  there  was 
no  real  need  for  the  presence  of  troops  in  the  locality. 

Fort  Armstrong,  however,  was  maintained  until  May  4,  1836,  and  two 
3^ears  later  Colonel  George  Davenport  was  appointed  Indian  agent  and  re- 
mained in  charge  until  1840.    Colonel  Davenport  was  the  first  white  settler  in 


lln,,..-  ,. ((:,,!.   I)av.i,|.,,rt,  a>  .1  slaii.l.-  (..,la\. 

the  vicinity  of  the  Island.  He  was  identified  with  it  from  1815  to  July  4,  1845, 
when  he  was  murdered  in  his  home  by  a  band  of  robbers  and  horse  thieves. 
The  murderers  escaped  unrecognized,  but  Avere  afterward  arrested,  and  three 
of  them — Aaron  Long,  John  Long  and  Granville  Young — were  hanged  on 
October  19th,  of  the  succeeding  year. 

Colonel  Davenport  was  an   Englishman,  born  in  Lincolnshire,  in   1783. 
After  many  hard  experiences  at  sea,  he  reached  New  Orleans  in  1806.    Dur- 


108 


R  U   C   K       IS  L  A   N   D       A   R  S    !•:   N   A   L 


iiig  his   Island   life  he  became   famous  as  a  trader,  winning-  the   confidence 
of  the  Indians. 

riie  house  in  which  Colonel  Da\enport  was  murdered  stands  near  the 
northern  shore  at  the  lower  end  of  the  Island.  It  was  built  in  1833,  and 
is  by  far  the  oldest  structure  at  the  Arsenal.  Up  to  the  year  1906  no  repairs 
had  been  made,  and  it  was  gradually  falling  into  decay,  but  in  that  year 
the  Old  Settlers'  Association  of  Rock  Island  County,  Illinois,  secured  per- 
mission from  the  government  to  undertake  the  work  oi  repair  and  to 
maintain  this  historic  building  for  the   future. 

An  organizati(Mi  known  as  the  Colonel  Davenport  House  Association 
has  been  formed  for  the  purpose  of  fostering  the  local  traditions  and 
liistorv  with  which  the  Davenport  home  is  so  closely  attached.  To  each  of  the 
four  patriotic  societies  of  the  Tri-Cities — the  Colonial  Dames,  the  Daughters 
of  the  American  Revolutiini.  the  ()ld  Settlers'  Associations  of  Rock  Island 
Countv.  Illinois,  and  Scott  County.  Iowa,  and  the  Daveni)ort  family — one 
each  of  the  four  roi>ms  in  the  old  house  has  been  definitely  assigned. 

The  preservation  of  the  Davenport  house  was  made  possible  through 
the  efforts  of  Mr.  Phil  Mitchell,  of  Rock  Island,  Miss  Alice  French  and 
C    A.  I'icke,  of  Daxenport,  and  the  Misses  Catherine  and  Naomi  Da\enport. 


I.<tfikinp  (owanl  Davenport  from  west  rnij  of  Island. 


Arsenal  Commandants 


HE  four  commanding-  officers  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  connected  with 
the  World  War  time  and  the  period  of  readjustment  immediately 
ft)llowing  were  Colonel  George  W.  Burr,  Colonel  L.  T.  Hillman, 
Colonel  Harry  B.  Jordan,  and  the  present  Commandant.  Colonel  D. 
M.  King.  All  saw  active  service  abroad.  Colonel,  now  General, 
Burr,  in  charge  when  America  entered  the  struggle,  and  upon  whose  shoulders 
fell  the  responsibility  of  placing  the  Arsenal  on  a  war-producing  basis, 
having  been  relieved  in  early  1918,  promoted  and  detailed  to  service  abroad; 
Colonel  L.  T.  Hillman.  who  went  across  with  the  first  expeditionary  forces, 
and  returning  was  assigned  to  command  of  the  Arsenal  to  succeed  Colonel 
Burr,  and  Colonels  Harry  B.  Jordan  and  D.  M.  King,  also  rendering  dis- 
tinguished service  abroad  until  the  Armistice  was  declared.  I'he  army 
careers  of  these  officers  is  of  particular  interest  at  this  time. 

COLONEL  D.  M.  KING,  ORDNANCE  DEPARTAIENT 

Colonel  D.  M.  King,  the  present  Commandant  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal. 
was  born  in  Ohio.  November  5.  1869.  In  1889  he  entered  the  West  Point 
Military  Academy,  and  was  graduated  in  June.   1893. 

After  his  graduation  he  was  stationed  in  Washington.  D.  C.  from  1893 
to  1896.  and  from  1896  to  1899  he  was  instructor  at  the  U.  S.  Military  Acad- 
emy.    In  1898  he  was  commissioned  Eirst  Lieutenant.  Ordnance  Department. 

Colonel  King,  in  July,  1917.  upon  entrance  of  the  United  States  into  the 
Vv^jrld  War.  was  on  the  staff  of  Colonel  Burr  at  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal 
and  was  designated  by  the  Chief  of  ( )rdnance  to  design,  equip,  construct 
and  obtain  the  necessary  commissioned  and  enlisted  personnel  for  the 
maintenance  of  all  ordnance  material  in  Erance.  This  was  a  $20,000,000 
])roject.  and  required  approximately  275  officers  and  20.000  skilled  enlisted 
men  for  the  operation  of  the  shops  and  repair  facilities. 

The  main  shops  were  located  at  Mehun.  Erance.  and  about  9.000  men 
were  employed  at  the  date  of  the  Armistice.  Some  twenty  smaller  plants 
were  established,  maintained  and  operated  at  artillery  training  camps  and 
elsewhere  in   h'rance. 

Colonel  King  received  the  Distinguished  Service  Medal  and  the  Legion 
of  Honor  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the  Erench  Government. 

Colonel  King  has  been  in  command  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal  since  June 
3,  1921. 


no 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


KUCK  ISLAND  AKSENAI.  (;t)MMA.NDANTS  ULRl.Ni;  THK  WORI.D  W  AR   I'KRIOD 

Udd«— Ufl.  Col.  George  W.  Burr,  l'»11.1918:  right.  Col.  l.rroy  T.  HiUinan.  Mar.  I,  to  Uecember,  1918. 

Uwer— Uft.  Col.  Harr)  B.  Jordan.  1918- 1921;  right.  Col.  D.  M.  King,  1921. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  111 

COLONEL  HARRY  B.  JORDAN,  ORDNANCE  DEPARTMENT 

Colonel  Harry  B.  Jordan,  Ordnance  Department,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
being  born  in  the  Blue  Grass  State  February  26,  1876.  He  was  appointed  to 
West  Point  Military  Academy  from  Washington  in  June,  1897,  and  graduat- 
ed with  the  rank  of  Second  Lieutenant  of  Cavalry  in  February,  1901.  Li 
April  of  the  same  year  he  was  transferred  to  the  Fourteenth  Cavalry,  and  in 
July,  1903,  was  made  a  First  Lieutenant  in  the  Ordnance  Department.  In 
July,  1905,  he  was  transferred  back  to  the  Cavalry  with  the  same  rank,  and 
was  detailed  as  Captain  of  Ordnance  one  year  later.  His  transfer  back  to 
the  Cavalry  came  the  following  year,  but  he  returned  to  the  Ordnance  De- 
partment in  1908.  He  was  then  assigned  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal  until  June, 
1912,  when  he  was  again  detailed  to  the  Cavalry.  In  1913  he  returned 
to  the  Ordnance  Department  and  has  been  in  that  branch  of  the  service 
since.  In  1915  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major  in  the  ( )rdnance  De- 
partment, and  shortly  ])ef(n-e  the  United  States  entered  the  war  he  was  made 
a  Lieutenant-Colonel. 

When  the  h^xpeditionary  Forces  of  the  United  States  went  abroad. 
Colonel  Jordan  was  sent  to  France,  where  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
construction  of  Arsenals.  For  more  than  one  year  he  was  so  engaged  and  was 
then  brought  back  to  the  United  States,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel,  and  placed 
in  charge  of  the  Artillery  Section  in  the  office  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance. 

He  assumed  command  of  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal  on  January  20,  1919, 
and  continued  to  serve  in  this  capacity  until  June  1,  1921,  when  he  was 
relieved  of  its  command  and  assigned  to  duty  as  Chief  Ordnance  Officer, 
American  Forces  in  Germany,  stationed  at   Coblenz. 


COLONEL  LEROY  T.  HILLMAN,  ORDNANCE  DEPARTMENT 

Colonel  Leroy  T.  Hillman,  C>rdnance  Department,  was  born  in  Warren. 
Ohio,  April  30,  1879,  and  was  appointed  to  the  United  States  Military 
Academy  from  Indiana  in  June,  1896.  Upon  his  graduation  he  was  appointed 
a  Second  Lieutenant  of  Artillery  in  1900,  and  received  the  First  Lieutenancy 
in  the  same  branch  in  1901.  He  was  detailed  to  the  Ordnance  Department 
with  the  same  rank  in  1904.  and  was  made  a  Captain  of  Ordnance  in  1906. 
He  was  transferred  to  the  Artillery  in  1908.  His  rank  of  Captain  in 
the  Artillery  dated  from  January,  1907.  He  was  again  transferred  to  the 
Ordnance  Department  in  1909,  and  in  1911  received  his  Majority. 

During  his  time  as  Major  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  a  special 
examining  board  for  officers  who  applied  for  detail  in  the  r)rdnance  Depart- 
ment. His  promotion  to  a  Lieutenant-Colonelcy  came  in  September,  1917, 
when  he  was  sent  to  France,  representing  the  Ordnance  Department.  After 
six  months  service  abroad,  he  was  returned  to  the  United  States,  wdiere  he 
received  his  full  Colonelcy  and  was  assigned  to  succeed  Colonel  George  W. 


\   X   n       A   K   S   F.   X   A   L 


KiH.K  ISLAMl   ARSF.NAI.  COMMANDANTS  PRIOR  TO  THt  WORLD  WAR 

u.    <•   1    I.-    F    H.,Mw    140-  iqil-  Col    S    E    Blunt.  1897-1907:  Col.  A.  R.  Buffinplon.  1832-18^. 

y  ,,,...  . U-a  >";ifX;ow-ColTM.' W^;.elVe.''r^^89      CoK  T.  G.  Bavlor    1«^^1889. 

Lower  row-Gem  D.W.  Flagler.  1871.1886:  Gen.  T.  J.  Rodman,  1865-1871:  Ma,.  C.  P.  K.ng,bur>.  1863-1860. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  113 

Burr  as  Commandant  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal.  He  remained  in  command 
of  the  latter  post  until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  the  Arsenal  on  Deceml^er 
29,  1918. 

BRIGADIER-GENERAL  GEORGE   W.   BURR 

Brig-adier-General  (ieorge  W.  Burr  entered  United  States  Military 
Academy  June  15,  1884,  and  on  graduation  was  given  a  Second  Lieutenant's 
commission,  June  11,  1888;  he  was  made  a  First  Lieutenant  of  Ordnance 
January  10,  1893;  commission  as  Captain  followed  on  April  7,  1899;  he  was 
commissioned  a  Major  June  25,  1906,  and  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  October  23, 
1910. 

In  1911  General  Burr  was  assigned  to  command  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal, 
and  while  in  command  of  the  post  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Colonel. 
General  Burr  served  as  Commandant  of  the  Arsenal  until  February,  1918, 
when  he  was  transferred  to  Washington,  where  he  became  the  representative 
of  the  Ordnance  Department  in  purchasing  heavy  artillery  and  munitions 
from  the  British  (jovernment  and  was  assigned  as  Chief  Ordnance  Officer  on 
the  staff  of  Major-( General  Biddle  in  P^ngland.  ( )n  August  8.  1918,  he  was 
appointed  Brigadier-(ieneral  in  the  National  Army  and  assigned  as  Chief 
of  the  Engineering  Dixision  of  the  Ordnance  Department.  In  December, 
1918,  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Director  of  Purchase,  Storage  and  Traffic, 
and  on  March  5,  1919,  was  promoted  temporarily  to  the  grade  of  Major- 
General.  He  now  holds  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General  and  is  Chief  of  the 
Field  Service  in  the  office  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance. 

COMMANDING  OFFICERS,  ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL,  FROM  DATE 

OF  ITS  ESTABLISHMENT.  JULY  11,  1862,  WITH  INCLUSIVE 

DATES  OF  SERVICE 

Major  C.  P.  Kingsbury : July  27,   1863  to  June  14,   1865 

Major  T.  J.  Rodman. Aug.    3,  1865  to  June    7,  1871 

Captain  D.  ^^^  Flagler ....June  15,   1871   to  May  12,  1886 

Colonel  T.  G.  Baylor May   12,   1886  to  Nov.    8,   1889 

Colonel  J.  M.  Whittemore... Nov.     8,  1889  to  Mar.  14,   1891 

Colonel  A.  R.  Bufrtngton Jan.    21,   1892  to  Mar.    3.   1897 

Captain   S.    E.    Blunt.... Mar.     3,   1897  to  Aug.    3,   1907 

Lieutenant-Colonel   F.   E.  Hobbs Aug.    3.   1907  to  Apr.  12.   1911 

Lieutenant-Colonel  George  W.   Burr July     7,   1911   to   Feb.  15,   1918 

Colonel  L.  T.  Hillman Mar.     4,   1918  to  Dec.  29,   1918 

Colonel  Harry  B.  Jordan Jan.    20,   1919  to  June    1.   1921 

Colonel  D.   M.  King June    3,  1921  to 


114  RUCK       IS  L  A  X  D       A  R  S   E   X  A   L 

COLONEL  JOHN  T.  THOMPSON,  U.  S.  A..  RETIRED 

Colonel  John  T.  Thompson  (retired),  whose  activities  as  an  Ordnance 
C^rticer  were  closely  allied  with  the  development  of  the  small  arm.  first 
served  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  in  1891  as  a  Lieutenant  of  Ordnance  under 
Colonel  Burtington,  then  its  Commandant,  and  again  in  190+,  when  as  a 
Captain,  he  was  assigned  as  Assistant  C)tticer  to  the  Commanding  Officer, 
Colonel  S.  E.  Blunt,  in  charge  of  the  manufacture  of  the  rifle,  the  production 
of  which,  following  the  establishment  of  the  small  arms  plant  at  the  Arsenal, 
was  to  be  imdertaken  in  quantity. 

Colonel  Thompson  entered  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy  July  1,  1878, 
and  graduated  in  1882  as  a  Second  Lieutenant  of  Artillery;  his  promotion  to 
the  grade  of  First  Lieutenant  followed  January  20.  1889;  in  December.  1890. 
he  was  transferred  to  the  Ordnance:  he  was  promoted  to  Captain  June  15. 
1898;  to  rank  of  Major  on  June  25.  1906;  Lieutenant-Colonel  on  Jaimary 
21.  1909.  and  Colonel  October  30,  1913. 

When  war  broke  out  Colonel  Thompson  retired  and  became  associated 
with  the  Remington  Arms  Co.  in  the  manufacture  of  rifles  (Model  1914) 
for  the  British  Government.  On  our  own  entrance  into  the  war  Colonel 
Thompson  re-entered  the  service  as  Chief  of  the  Small  Arms  Division,  office 
of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  and  was  the  prime  moving  spirit  in  the  production 
of  the  Model  1917  U.  S.  Rifle.  He  later  became  Director  of  Arsenals,  in  which 
capacity  he  was  charged  with  directing  for  the  Chief  of  Ordnance  the 
operations  of  the  Arsenals  as  manufacturing  plants  and  military  establish- 
ments, and  handling  of  all  matters  of  general  administration. 

At  the  cessation  of  hostilities  he  again  retired.  Since  that  time  his 
energy  has  been  devoted  in  perfecting  the  Thompson  sub-machine  gun,  of 
which  he  is  the  inventor.  This  weapon,  the  inventor  claims,  considering 
its  small  size,  the  number  of  blows  it  can  hit  in  a  given  time,  is  the  most 
effective  portable  weapon  yet  invented.  The  Thompson  sub-machine  gun  is 
being  manufactured  by  the  Auto  Ordnance  Corporation,  of  X'ew  York. 

maj(jr-(;I':xI':ral  c.  c.  willi.kms 

The  jjresent  Chief  of  Ordnance.  Major-(  Jeneral  C.  C.  Williams,  entered 
the  U.  S.  Military  Academy  on  June  17.  1890.  graduating  June  12.  1894, 
as  a  Second  Lieutenant  of  Artillery.  He  was  commissioned  a  First  Lieu- 
tenant of  Ordnance  October  4,  1898.  On  June  14.  1902.  he  was  promoted  to 
ihe  rank  of  Captain,  and  it  was  during  the  period  of  his  Captaincy,  some  two 
years  later,  that  he  was  assigned  to  duty  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  as  assistant 
to  the  officer  in  charge  of  work  in  the  Armory  shops,  at  that  time  being 
equipped  for  the  manufacture  of  the  rifle. 

While  on  duty  as  Inspector  of  Ordnance  at  the  works  of  the  Bethlehem 
Steel   Co..  which  assignment  followed  his  relief  from  duty  at  the  Arsenal. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


115 


he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major.  He  was  made  a  Lieutenant-Colonel 
April  6,  1915.  When  the  expeditionary  forces  of  the  United  States  were 
ordered  to  France,  General  Williams  was  one  of  the  first  ordnance  officers 
sent  abroad,  where  he  served  as  Chief  Ordnance  Officer,  A.  E.  F.  On 
August  5,  1917,  he  was  appointed  Brigadier-General  in  the  National  Army, 
and  on  May  17.  1918,  was  assigned  to  duty  as  Acting  Chief  of  Ordnance. 
On  July  16,  1918,  he  succeeded  Major-General  William  Crozier  as  Chief 
of  Ordnance,  the  latter  having  on  that  date  been  appointed  Major-Cieneral 
in  the  line  of  the  Army. 


Col.  JohnT.  Thom|.^..iL,  I.- 
direLtm-  ol  Ar 


,rn,-,l  a-,  .lii.'fof  Ih,-  small  arms  ,li 
slalioneil  at  Kock.  Island  Arsenal. 


Other  Arsenals 


()  gi\e  ail  adequate  understanding  of  the  relative  importance  of 
Rock  Island  Arsenal,  it  is  necessary  to  furnish  a  basis  of  comparist»n 
with  other  similar  institutions  in  the  United  States.  There  are. 
altogether,  eight  Arsenals,  an  Armory  and  a  Reserve  Depot  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Ordnance  De])arlment.  which  is  charged 
with  the  task  of  providing  and  caring  for  all  military  supplies.  Arsenals 
and  Armories  are  manufacturing  establishments,  while  dejiots  have  only 
facilities  for  storage.  Rock  Island  Arsenal  is  the  largest  plant  of  them  all. 
and  its  uses  are  more  diversified,  the  others  specializing  in  certain  kinds  of 
ordnance  stores.  This  Arsenal  also  produces  small  arms,  a  work  carried 
on  nttwhere  else  except  at  the  Si)ringfield  Armory,  and.  besides,  its  store- 
houses shelter  the  greatest  single  collection  of  ordnance  supplies  in  the 
country. 

In  connection  with  the  manufacture  of  field  artillery,  tests  by  proof 
firing  are  necessary.  So  the  Ordnance  Department  has  established  ])roving 
grounds.  That  at  Aberdeen,  Md..  is  the  largest.  Facilities  for  emergency 
use  of  the  same  sort  exist  at  the  Savanna  grounds,  an  adjunct  of  Rock  Island 
Arsenal,  and  at    I'2rie.  ( )hio. 

Practically  all  ordnance  manufacturing,  except,  of  course,  in  emergen- 
cies, is  done  at  the  Springfield  Armory  and  the  four  main  Arsenals — at  Rock 
Island.  Frankford.  W'atertown  and  W'atervliet — other  Arsenals  doing  repair 
work  c.nlv.  in  atldition  to  storing  and  issuing  supplies. 


SPRINGFIFLD  AkM(  )\<\ 

Principal  work  done  at  the  Springfield  Armory  is  in  connectic^n  with  the 
manufacture  of  the  U.  S.  army  rifle,  model  of  190.^.  and  its  spare  parts  and 
appendages,  bayonets,  bolos  and  trench  knives. 

The  Armory  was  established  at  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  in  .\pril. 
1778,  as  a  laboratory  for  the  preparation  of  ammunition  to  be  used  in  the 
Revolutionary  ^\'ar.  In  1794  it  was  made  a  National  .\rmory  for  the  manu- 
facture of  small  arms,  and  has  continued  in  this  capacity  since.  In  the 
World  War  the  outi)Ut  attained  a  rate  of  6.000  rifles  a  week.  The  value  of 
the  .\rmory.  which  occupies  297  acres  of  ground,  is  estimated  at  $12,229,000. 

Before  the  .Armory  at  Rock  Island  was  opened,  in  1905,  all  rifle  manu- 
facturing was  done  at  Springfield,  and  in  1915  reduction  of  appropriations  by 
Congress  made  it  necessary  to  again  center  production  at  the  latter  place. 
During  the    World   War   Springfield   and    Rock    Island   together   could    not 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


117 


supply  enough  arms.  Since  that  conflict  the  Rock  Island  Armory  has  done 
only  repair  work,  Springfield  being  able  to  meet  peace  time  needs  of  the 
army.  With  a  great  supply  of  rifles  on  hand,  it  is  unlikely  that  the  present 
type  of  weapon  will  again  be  manufactured  at  Rock  Island. 


RegulMlion  uniform  adopteil  for  women  workers  at  Arsenal  during  the  war. 

WATERTCJWN  ARSENAL 
Watertown    Arsenal    is    located    at    Watertown,    Mass.      Its    activities 
include  manufacture  of  gun  forgings,  seacoast  gun  carriages,  railway  mounts 


118  ROCK       1   S  L  A  N   D       ARSENAL 

and  high  explosive  and  armor-piercing  projectiles.    It  stores  and  issues  parts 
for  seacoast  artillery  carriages  and  target  material. 

This  Arsenal  was  established  under  act  of  Congress  dated  February  8. 
i815.  It  embraces  87.4  acres,  valuation  of  land,  buildings  and  equipment  be- 
ing Jj^20.63 1 ,000.  The  civilian  personnel  numbered  over  3,000  during  the  late 
war. 

WATER\'LIET  ARSENAL 

Watervliet  Arsenal  is  located  within  the  city  limits  of  Watervliet,  N.  Y. 
Its  main  function  is  the  manufacture  of  both  light  and  heavy  guns,  and 
accessories.  The  site  was  acquired  in  1813.  and  comprises  144  acres.  The 
value  of  its  lands,  buildings  and  equipment  is  $12,029,000. 

During  the  World  \\'ar  employees  numbered  3.300  and  production  in 
1918  was  578  completed  guns,  ranging  from  1.457-inch  to  16-inch.  There 
were  relined  or  modified  161  guns,  ranging  from  6  to  16-inch  types. 

FRANKFORD  ARSENAL 

Frankford  Arsenal  is  located  10  miles  from  the  center  of  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania.  It  manufactures  small  arms  ammunition  of  all  kinds,  metal 
components  of  artillery,  trench  warfare  ammunition,  and  fire  control 
and  range-finding  instruments,  including  optical  parts.  This  Arsenal  was 
acquired  May  27,  1816.  It  covers  91.5  acres,  and  the  value  of  its  land,  build- 
ings and  equipment  is  estimated  at  $24,084,000.  Over  5,000  workers  were 
employed  during  the  World  \\'ar. 

PICATINNY  ARSENAL 

Picatinny  Arsenal  is  in  Morris  county.  New  Jersey,  within  5  miles  of 
Dover.  Its  work  is  the  manufacture  of  powder,  high  explosives  and  metal 
components  for  the  loading  of  the  same.  Experimental  work  is  also  done 
in  development  of  ammunition. 

Picatinny  Arsenal  was  established  in  1880.  It  comprises  1.615  acres, 
the  valuation  of  land,  buildings  and  equipment  being  $8,965,000.  Number  of 
employees  during  the  late  war  reached  1.500  and  the  production  of  powder 
in  1918  was  2.369.200  pounds. 

SAX  ANTONIO  ARSENAL 

Located  within  the  city  limits  of  San  Antonio,  Texas,  San  Antonio 
Arsenal  is  a  pre-war  ordnance  establishment,  equipped  for  storing,  maintain- 
ing and  issuing  all  classes  of  ordnance  goods,  and  with  facilities  for  repair- 
ing stores  used  by  troops  in  that  section  of  the  country.  The  site  comprises 
19.65  acres.  It  was  acquired  in  1859.  There  are  235.640  feet  of  storage  space, 
and  value  of  the  establishment  is  placed  at  $998,000. 

AU(;USTA  ARSENAL 

Augusta,  Georgia,  is  the  home  of  Augusta  Arsenal.  Here  are  stored 
and  issued  ordnance  material  other  than  ammunition  for  the  4th  Army  Corps. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  119 

Minor  repairs  are  also  made,  shop  equipment  being  sufificient  to  care  for  all 
kinds  of  ordnance,  including  small  arms,  field  and  coast  artillery,  etc.  The 
Arsenal  embraces  what  formerly  was  known  as  the  Augusta  Ordnance 
Supply  Depot,  located  several  miles  from  the  Arsenal,  and  now  the  main 
storage  plant.  There  are  100  acres  of  land,  of  which  the  government  owns 
70,  the  other  30  being  leased.    This  Arsenal  was  established  in  1826. 

BENICIA  ARSENAL 

Benicia  Arsenal  is  located  one  mile  from  Benicia,  California.  It  stores 
and  issues  ammunition  and  other  supplies  for  the  9th  Army  Corps  area, 
and  collects  and  forwards  ordnance  supplies  for  the  army  in  the  insular 
possessions  and  Alaska.  It  manufactures  cast  iron  projectiles,  all  classes 
of  target  material  and  smokeless  powder  for  seacoast  armament,  and  repairs 
ordnance  material.  Though  title  to  this  Arsenal  was  not  finally  acquired 
until  October  10,  1862,  a  portion  of  its  present  site  was  used  for  ordnance 
purposes  as  early  as  1851.  It  covers  339  acres,  the  valuation  of  land  being 
$140,000  and  of  buildings  and  equipment  $1,489,000. 

RARITAN  ORDNANCE  RESERVE  DEPOT 

The  Raritan  Ordnance  Reserve  Depot  is  located  on  the  Raritan  river, 
about  thirty  miles  west  of  New  York  City,  and  five  miles  northeast  of  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.  At  this  establishment  are  stored,  issued  and  maintained 
ordnance  supplies  for  troops  of  the  1st,  2nd,  and  3rd  Corps  areas.  There 
is  also  stored  a  reserve  supply  of  ammunition  and  components.  Dock  facili- 
ties accommodate  lighters  for  loading  ocean-going  vessels.  The  Depot  was 
acquired  in  October.  1917.  It  comprises  2,159  acres.  The  land  is  valued  at 
$680,000  and  buildings  and  equipment  at  $14,073,000.  Raritan  has  taken  over 
activities  of  the  former  New  York  Arsenal. 

ERIE  PROVING  GROUND 

Location  of  the  Erie  Proving  Ground  is  seven  miles  west  of  Port  Clinton. 
Ohio,  on  Lake  Erie.  It  has  storage  space  and  maintains  facilities  for  trac- 
tors, automotive  vehicles  and  heavy  artillery,  and  in  addition,  in  case  of 
emergency,  proof  firing  may  be  done  there.  It  was  acquired  March  25,  1918. 
Of  the  1.218  acres  included.  1.165  are  owned  by  the  government  and  53  by 
the  State  of  Ohio.  Valuation  of  land  is  $231,000,  and  of  buildings  and  equip- 
ment $5,527,000. 

ABERDEEN  PROVING  GROUND 

The  Aberdeen  Proving  Ground  is  located  35  miles  northeast  of  Balti- 
more, Maryland.  It  was  acquired  December  14,  1917.  There  are  70,000  acres, 
half  of  which  is  under  water.  Valuation  of  land  is  $3,553,000,  and  of  build- 
ings and  equipment  $13,728,000.  In  addition  to  facilities  for  proof  firing 
of  guns  and  carriages,  this  establishment  has  a  field  service  storage  area 
with  space  under  roof  of  480,000  square  feet. 


Resources  of  Tri-Cities 


\AI  l-A  1)1  LITY  iif  workers  in  luuiihcrs.  (lualilu-alidiis  and  training 
suited  to  its  needs  was  \ital  in  the  successful  uperatinn  of  Rock 
Island  Arsenal  in  tlie  World  War.  just  as  it  must  be  in  any  future 
military  crisis  in  which  the  country  may  l)ecome  inv(»lved.  At  ncj 
time  during  the  conflict  was  there  any  serious  ditficulty  in  recruit- 
ing shop  and  ottice  workers  and  building  tradesmen  as  rapidly  as  they 
could  be  utilized.  Most  of  tliem  came  from  the  surrounding  cities,  Rt^ck 
Island.  Moline  and  h'ast  Moline.  Illinois,  and  Davenport  and  Bettendorf, 
Iowa.  All  were  housed  without  much  inconvenience,  though  the  govern- 
ment undertook  a  j^roject  to  ])rovide  homes  in  all  five  cities.  This  was 
begun  in  1918.  in  anticipation  of  a  i)rolonged  struggle;  in  all  565  houses 
being  finished,  none.  howe\er.  being  completed  at  the  time  the  armistice 
was  signed. 

The  five  cities  named,  together  with  their  suburbs,  generally  known 
as  the  Tri-City  community,  have  a  combined  population  of  over  150,000, 
according  to  the  1920  census.  ( )f  this  numl)er,  according  to  a  recent  private 
survey,  73,000  are  aged  between  15  and  45,  and  46,000  males  and  13,000 
females  work  for  wages.  Industrial  workers  number  14.000  and  trades 
employes  8,000.  Diversity  of  employment  ofl:'ered  in  the  comiuunity  afifords 
opportunity  for  a  wide  variety  of  training,  and  the  ])eop]e  are  well  above 
the  average,  taking  the  country  over,  in  education  and  wealth.  The  per- 
centage of  families  with  an  income  of  $3,000  or  more  is  7.06.  against  an 
average  of  1.94  per  cent  for  the  entire  United  States.  The  percentage 
with  incomes  between  $1,800  and  $3,000  is  23.60,  while  that  for  the  entire 
country   is  but    11.06  per  cent. 

The  Tri-City  comnumity  is  the  center  of  a  large  area  of  rich,  fertile, 
and  thickly  populated  country.  From  Chicago  the  distance  by  rail  is  181 
miles,  and  from  the  Missouri  ri\er.  on  the  west,  it  is  316  miles.  North  by 
river  to  St.  Paul  it  is  397  miles,  and  south  ])y  ri\er  to  St.  Louis  ^^2  miles. 
This  is  the  largest  p()])ulation  center  l)etween  the  points  named.  Conse- 
quently   an    inunense    business    in    distributing    commodities    is    carried    on. 

Diversity  of  manufacture  and  magnitude  of  trading  area  make  for  sta- 
bility and  minimize  danger  of  temporary  depressions  to  which  communities 
depending  upon  a  limited  number  of  lines  of  commerce  and  production  are 
subject. 

There  are  a  number  of  concerns  in  the  Tri-Cities  which  do  business  all 
over  the  world,  and  valuable  aflvertising  for  the  community  is  gained  there- 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  121 

by.  This  is  the  center  of  the  manufacture  of  agricultural  implements— 
Deere  &  Company,  the  Moline  Plow  Company,  and  Rock  Island  Plow 
("ompany  being  leaders  in  their  field,  with  a  combined  capital  of  more 
than  $100,000,000.  Users  of  plows  everywhere  associate  with  them  the 
name  Moline.  Rock  Island's  renown  is  carried  abroad  by  the  trans-con- 
tinental railroad  which  bears  its  name,  as  well  as  by  the  greatest  Arsenal 
in  this  country,  and  in  many  respects  the  most  complete  and  spacious  mili- 
tary manufacturing  and  storage  establishment  on  the  globe.  A  number  of 
large  industrial  concerns  perform  a  similar  service  for  Davenport,  East 
Moline,  and   Bettendorf. 

The  handicap  of  being  located  a  thousand  miles  from  tidewater  has 
not  prevented  more  than  a  dozen  Tri-City  manufacturing  establishments 
from  doing  an  extensive  foreign  business.  Among  them,  in  addition  to  the 
farm   implement  concerns   already   named,   may   be   mentioned   the    Western 


City  of  Rock  Island,  seen  from  Arsenal  clork  tower. 

Pump  Company,  Davenport  Locomotive  Works,  Gordon-Van  Tine  Com- 
pany, Red  Jacket  Manufacturing  Company,  Victor  Animatograph  Company, 
Linograph  Company,  Purity  Oats  Company,  and  Western  Flour  Mills,  of 
Davenport;  Rock  Island  Manufacturing  Company,  Phelps  Manufacturing 
Company,  Franks  Manufacturing  Company,  and  Standard  Textile  Products 
Company,  of  Rock  Island ;  Williams,  WHiite  &  Company  and  National 
Licorice  Company,  of  Moline;  and  the  Troy  Laundry  Machinery  Company, 
the  E.  &  T.  Fairbanks  Company,  of  East  Moline;  and  the  Bettendorf  Com- 
pany,  of    Bettendorf. 

The  famous  Velie  Motor  Cars,  manufactured  by  the  A^elie  Motors  Cor- 
poration; the  "R  &  W"  manufactured  by  the  R.  c\:  V.  Motor  Company, 
and  the  "Stephens,"  manufactured  l)y  the  Moline  Plow  Company,  are  known 
internationally  as  high-class  automobiles,  backed  by  reliable,  progressive 
and  time-tried  concerns. 

The  largest  washing  machine  factories  in  the  world  are  located  in  Dav- 
enport, Iowa — the  Voss  Bros.  Manufacturing  Company,  the  White  Lily 
Manufacturing  Company,  and  the  Brammer  Mamifacturing  Company.  This 
industry  had  its  birth   in  Davenport. 


122  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

The  Gordon  \'an-Tine  Company  is  the  largest  distributor  of  ready- 
cut  houses  in  the  world.  The  X'ictor  Animatograph  Company,  making 
moving  picture  projectors  and  slides,  is  also  the  largest  of  its  kind  any- 
where. About  one-third  of  the  machinists'  vises  used  in  the  world  are 
supplied  by  the  Rock  Island  Manufacturing  Company,  which  furnished 
150.000  vises  for  use  by  the  allied  armies  in  the  World  War.  Williams, 
\\'hite  &  Co.  lead  in  production  of  machine  shop  and  foundry  tools.  The 
Bettendorf  Company  has  the  largest  shops  in  the  locality  devoted  to  a 
specified  line  of  production,  being  one  of  the  largest  manufacturers  of  steel 
freight  cars  in  the  world.  Scores  of  local  concerns  send  their  products  to 
all  parts  of  the  United  States. 

Few  communities  are  better  served  in  the  matter  of  transportation. 
Three  trans-continental  railroad  lines  reach  the  Tri-Cities,  and  two  others, 
having  connecting  links,  cross  the  Mississippi  within  50  miles.  Of  minor 
branches  and  interurbans  there  are  several,  while  the  end  of  1922  is  expected 
to  witness  the  completion  of  at  least  one  hard  road  giving  access  to  the  per- 
manent highways  of  the  east.  Last  year  a  million  dollars  was  spent  build- 
ing hard  roads  radiating  from  the  city  of  Davenport,  while  extensive  work 
of  the  same  sort,  to  be  undertaken  in  the  immediate  future,  is  planned  on 
both  sides  of  the  river.  The  Tri-City  Railway  Company  lines  ramify  into 
all  parts  of  the  urban  community,  which  is  also  bound  together  by  hundreds 
of  miles  of  paved  streets.  Two  bridges  cross  the  main  river,  rail,  vehicle 
and  foot  traffic  being  carried  free  of  tolls  by  the  Rock  Island  bridge,  govern- 
ment owned  and  controlled. 

In  connection  with  transportation  advantages,  the  facilities  aflforded  by 
the  Mississippi  river  must  not  be  overlooked.  Though  water-borne  traffic 
on  the  inland  streams  has  greatly  declined  from  that  of  a  few  decades  ago, 
competent  authorities  agree  that  the  railroads  have  about  reached  their 
physical  limits,  and  that  the  day  of  the  return  of  the  water  carriers  is  not 
far  distant.  Everything  points  to  an  early  demand  for  use  of  boats  to  handle 
the  bulkier  and  heavier  commodities  that  rail  lines  are  expected  to  relin- 
quish as  the  business  of  the  country  outgrows  their  facilities  for  expansion. 
Foreseeing  such  a  situation,  the  city  of  Davenport  has  expended  a  million 
dollars  in  levee  improvement  to  facilitate  the  handling  of  freight  to  and 
from  river  craft.  In  addition  to  connection  with  all  points  on  the  Missis- 
sippi and  its  navigable  tributaries,  this  locality,  by  means  of  the  canal  about 
to  be  built  by  the  State  of  Illinois  and  the  existing  Illinois  and  Mississippi 
canal,  will  be  able  to  ship  by  water  east  through  the  Great  Lakes  to  all  ports 
thereon,  and,  eventually,  no  doubt,  to  the  seaboard. 

Water  power,  available  in  a  limited  quantity  with  present  facilities,  and 
potential,  in  an  amount  sufficient  to  supply  all  future  industrial  needs, 
i.e  another  important  asset  of  the  Tri-City  district.  As  was  pointed  out  by 
Mr.  E.  S.  Putnam,  of  Davenport,  during  the  World  W^ir,  when  the  govern- 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


123 


ment  was  seeking  a  site  for  a  nitrogen  fixation  plant,  the  Rock  Island  rapids 
make  possible  a  hydro-electric  plant  developing  as  much  as  100,000  horse- 
power. Within  60  miles  distant,  at  the  east,  as  was  shown  by  the  same 
authority,  there  are  extensive  coal  deposits,  where  steam  power  can  be  most 
economically  generated  in  any  amount  desired  to  supplement  the  water 
power.  Transmission  from  the  mines  by  high  voltage  wires  would  be  a 
simple  problem. 

It  may  be  taken  for  granted  that  the  Tri-City  community  is  well  supplied 
with  schools,  churches,  welfare  organizations  and  other  means  of  promoting 
spiritual  advancement  and  culture.  Among  the  schools  are  several  sectarian 
institutions,    including  Augustana    College   and    Theological    Seminary,    St. 


Looking  south  from  Island  end  of  Moline  bridge. 


Ambrose  College,  St.  Katharine's  School,  and  the  \'illa  de  Chantal,  all  of 
which  draw  pupils  from  a  wide  area.  The  Palmer  School  of  Chiropractic, 
with  its  3.000  students,  representing  practically  every  civilized  country  on 
the  globe,  should  not  be  overlooked. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  state  that  the  cities  located  on  the  river  shores 
adjacent  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal  are  progressive,  that  they  are  modern, 
well  kept  and  sanitary,  with  many  parks  and  scenic  features,  the  beauty  of 
which  is  being  constantly  enhanced  by  judicious  expenditure  of  money  and 
effort.  Recreation  has  not  been  slighted.  There  are  fine  theatres,  and  art, 
music,  and  sports,  both  amateur  and  professional,  are  well  supported.  The 
Rock  Island  Arsenal  Golf  Club  maintains  an  eighteen-hole  course  on  the 
Island  itself  that  is  accounted  one  of  the  finest  in  the  country  and  has  been 
the  scene  of  several  celebrated  tournaments.  The  club-house,  costing  $50,000, 
was  built  and  the  links  were  laid  out  and  are  maintained  by  civilian  mem- 
bers, but  the  Arsenal  Commandant  is  ex-officio  president  of  the  organization 
and  in  full  charge  of  the  premises.  The  course  utilizes  some  of  the  lower 
ground  and  that  adjacent  to  the  officers'  quarters,  and  the  Arsenal  is  in  no- 
wise jeopardized,  nor  is  the  military  reservation  encroached  upon.     Facili- 


124 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


ties    arc    afforded    for    outdoor    exercise    which    reg-ulalioiis    rc(iuire    army 
officers  to  take. 

Growth  of  the  cities  surrounding  the  Arsenal  has  been  rapid  ever  since 
they  passed  from  the  village  state,  more  than  half  a  century  ago.  Permanent 
improvements  annually  made  range,  normally,  between  five  and  ten  millions, 
tending  always  upward.  Population  of  the  fi\e  municipalities  increased 
from  96,117  in  1910  to  146,880  in  1920,  a  rate  of  growth  far  above  the  average 
the  country  over,  being  more  than  fifty  per  cent. 

Total  bank  deposits  in  the  'l"ri-("ity  community  were  $82,000,000  at  the 
close  of  1921,  reflecting  the  financial  depression  by  onU^  a  slight  decline 
from  the  figures  of  the  preceding  year.  Davenjjort  enjoys  the  rc])Utation  of 
ha\ing  the  greatest  banking  resources  of  an_\-  city  of  its  size  in  the  country. 

The  community  is  a  great  jobbing  center,  its  territory  comprising  nearly 
all  of  Iowa  and  a  large  i)art  of  western  Illinois;  retail  stores  rank  with 
the  best  anywhere,  and  there  are  many  of  them,  always  in  keen  competition. 
Da\'enport  has  a  million  dollar  office  building  and  the  largest  hotel  in  the 
State  of  Iowa.  A  hotel  nearly  as  large  is  in  course  of  erection  in  Moline 
There  have  been  few  serious  labor  controversies  to  interrupt  the  good  order 
and  progress  of  the  community. 

Though  there  are  five  cities  with  separate  municipal  governmental  units 
and  trading  centers,  the  fact  remains  that  the  citizens  of  each  one  enjoys 
the  advantages  that  all  have  to  ofifer.  Boundaries  join  on  botli  sides  of  the 
river,  and  the  peoi)le  are  closely  drawn  together  by  mutual  interests.  There 
is,  in  fact,  a  ma.ximum  of  intercourse  and  a  mininuun  of  ri\alrv  and  friction, 
offering  all  the  ad\antages  of  a  single  large  city  of  150,000  and  eliminating 
some  of  the  disadvantages.  Big  things  can  be  and  are.  successfully  under- 
taken, commercially,  industrially,  educationally  and  in  the  way  or  recreation 
-—things  that  no  single  city  of  the  fi\e  could  hope  alone  to  support.  To 
take  a  single  instance,  consider  the  Mississippi  X'alley  Fair  and  h^xposition, 
which,  though  ostensibly  a  Daven])ort  enterprise,  has  made  a  phenomenal 
success  of  the  two  annual  fairs  thus  far  gi\cn.  haxing  the  distinction  of  be- 
ing the  first  organization  of  its  class  to  win  rec()gnitit)n  in  its  initial  year  by 
the  International  .Vsscjciation  of  Fairs  and   Fxpositions. 

Though  the  subject  might  be  treated  at  greater  length,  it  is  believed 
that  en(jugh  has  been  told  to  slmw  that  Pock  Island  Arsenal's  surroundings 
are  such  as  to  insure  an  ample  supply  of  traine<l  labor  and  of  necessary 
materials  to  ])r()vide  for  its  maintenance  in  a  high  state  of  efficiency  at  all 
times  and  under  all  conceivable  circumstances. 


View  up  thr  riv.T  fri.m  hia.l  .,f  Man.l,  will,  H.II.>i.l..rf  .  :ir  fliojis  in  the  .listanr 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


125 


Henry  W.  Horst  Company 


The  present  Henry  W.  Horst  Company  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  concept 
formed  in  the  mind  of  a  twelve-year-old  boy,  when  its  president,  Mr.  Henry 
W.  Horst,  was  a  lad  in  the  old  country.  Not  that  he  saw  Rock  Island,  nor 
that  he  saw  concrete  road  building  or  many  of  the  other  projects  which 
today  form  integral  parts  of  the  large  construction  work  his  company  now 
carries  on,  but  that  there  was  ever  before  him  from  these  early  days,  America 
— the  country  of  first  promise — the  building  industry,  for  which  he  had  a 
natural  talent,  and  the  determination  to  excel  in  building  work,  and  in  a 
company  of  his  own.     Filled  with  these  visions,  and  backed  by  a  strong  re- 


HENRY  W.  HORST 


A.  E.  HORST 


ligious  faith  and  an  unshaken  belief  in  himself,  the  then  embryo  constructor 
never  permitted  discouragements,  struggles  or  setbacks  to  dim  the  ardor 
or  divert  the  energies  with  which  he,  as  a  youth,  a  young  man  and  a  mature 
man,  continuously  pressed  forward  toward  his  goal. 

Apprenticed  under  old-country  guild  rules  at  the  age  of  14,  this  future 
American  man-of-affairs  served  faithfully  for  three  years,  devoting  a  part 
of  the  time,  as  per  guild  requirements,  to  the  study  of  bookkeeping  and 
drafting,  and  using  spare  hours  to  add  to  his  already  considerable  knowledge 
of  foreign  language. 

He  emigrated  to  the  United  States  at  seventeen  years  of  age,  finding  his 
way  to  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  destined  at  a  later  date  to  become  the  center  of 
his  far-reaching  labors.    Keeping  the  fixed  purpose  of  service  through  a  com- 


126  ROCK       I  S  L  A  N  D       A   R  S   E   N  A  L 

pany  of  his  own  ever  before  him.  the  youth  folhiwed  carpentry,  continuing 
in  this  line  through  early  manhood,  gradually  working  toward  his  end 
through  sub-contracting,  chiefly  in  the  Middle  West. 

Mr.  Hurst  feels  today  that  outside  of  his  faith  in  an  all-wise  God,  no 
one  thing  contributed  more  largely  to  his  ability  to  cope  with  difficulties 
than  seven  years  of  pioneering  on  the  Kansas  prairies,  homesteading.  helping 
to  build  towns  then  in  their  infancy,  and  at  the  same  time  laying  the  founda- 
tions of  his  own  fine  family.  In  ( )akley.  Logan  County.  Kansas,  Mr. 
Horst  first  entered  the  contracting  business.  Buildings  there,  comjjleted  in 
1886.  still  stand  to  the  credit  of  this  step  in  the  development  of  his  purpose. 

Returning  to  Rock  Island  in  1892,  Mr.  Horst  soon  joined  forces  with 
another  contractor,  but  only  to  sever  relations  after  one  year's  united  efforts, 
during  which  time  a  splendid  church  edifice  was  erected. 

In  March.  1893.  he  entered  into  a  co-partnership  with  Mr.  Emil  Peterson. 
This  partnership  lasted  eight  years,  which  time  was  largely  occupied  with  the 
building  of  residences.  Already  the  time  element,  so  dominant  in  all  Henry 
\\\  Horst  Company  construction,  was  making  itself  felt,  many  fair-sized 
residences  having  l)een  erected  during  this  period  in  thirty  days  each. 
Usually  the  houses  built  during  this  ])eriod  were  designed  by  Mr.  Horst 
himself,  who  worked  long  and  incessantly  during  these  years  of  struggle. 

1900  marked  the  establishment  of  the  individual  business  of  Henry  W. 
Horst.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Horst  not  only  constructed  buildings. 
but  kept  his  own  accounts,  acquiring  his  first  bookkeeper  in  1903.  By  this 
time,  however,  his  work  was  so  well  organized  that  he  found  it  possible 
for  the  first  time  to  visit  his  aged  mother  and  to  tour  Europe,  taking  with  him 
liis  oldest  son  and  later  business  partner.  Ofiices  had  already  been  removed 
from  the  residence  of  Mr.  Horst  to  a  small  building  on  the  same  lot.  Later 
they  were  moved  into  a  fine  down-town  location.  Before  this  latter  move, 
the  Company's  first  prospectus,  an  attractive  booklet  of  28  pages  of  illustra- 
tions, was  published  in  1907.  In  1911.  in  order  to  accommodate  the  growing 
business,  Mr.  Horst  purchased  the  lot  on  which  the  present  spacious  Horst 
building  stands.     The  building  was  erected   in   1912. 

By  this  time  the  second  member  and  present  manager  of  the  company, 
A.  E.  Horst.  had  graduated  from  the  University  of  Illinois,  and  had  become 
superintendent  of  construction.  After  three  years  of  this  joint  work,  the 
present  company  was  organized  and  incorporated.  A  second  and  larger 
booklet  was  published,  and  a  new  and  larger  period  of  development  was 
entered  upon. 

During  this  period  Mr.  Horst,  who  had  at  one  time  built  sod  houses  and 
had  gone  through  such  experiences  as  that  of  having  brought  into  Rock 
Island  its  first  concrete  mixer  and  having  constructed  Rock  Island's  first 
reinforced  concrete  office  building,  saw  his  company  develop  to  the  point 
of  covering  such  work  as  residences,  business  blocks,  industrial  buildings. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  127 

railroads,    highways,    housing    projects,    large    government    contracts,    etc. 
Among  the  accomplishments  of  the  company  the  following  may  be  cited: 

L     Government  Work. 

1.  A  number  of  important  buildings  on  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal, 
among  which  are  the  Standard  Forging  building  and  the  Heppen- 
stall  building,  now  known  officially  as  Shop  "O"  and  Shop  "Q", 
respectively. 

2.  Officers'  Quarters  and  Barracks  buildings.  Eleven  buildings, 
mostly  large  brick  and  concrete  structures,  for  housing  and  caring  for 
the  military  units  located  on  the  Government  reservation  at  Proving 
Ground,  Illinois.  This  project  was  completed  30  days  ahead  of 
scheduled  time,  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  Government  inspectors 
and  contractors  alike. 

3.  Railroad.  Sixteen  miles  of  standard  gauge  railroad  with  a 
dozen  spurs,  built  on  government  property  at  Proving  Ground, 
Savanna,   Illinois. 

4.  Nitrate  Storage  Pit.  One  of  the  most  unique  of  the  Henry  W. 
Horst  Company's  varied  bits  of  construction,  this  mammoth  pit, 
the  size  of  three  city  blocks,  (160O'x20O')  and  with  sloping  17-foot 
sides,  all  of  reinforced  concrete,  having  seven  cross-walls,  was  de- 
signed for  the  storage  of  10,000  carloads  of  nitrate  for  the  manu- 
facture of  explosives.  Situated  in  a  veritable  sand  desert,  this  huge 
project  required  for  construction  some  150  cars  of  sand,  250  cars 
of  stone  and  gravel,  50  cars  of  cement  and  100  cars  of  miscellaneous 
materials.  70,000  cubic  yards  of  dirt  had  to  be  moved.  Undertaken 
in  the  late  fall  of  1920,  just  about  the  time  of  the  keenest  railroad 
transportation  difficulties,  this  pit,  with  the  16  miles  of  railroad 
mentioned  in  the  last  paragraph,  were  completed  before  Christmas — 
three  days  ahead  of  scheduled  time — the  schedule  having  been  pre- 
pared before  the  transportation  difficulties  had  presented  them- 
selves. 

5.  Housing  Projects.  Here  again  the  Henry  W.  Horst  Company 
record-breaking  time  achievements  came  to  the  fore.  This  war- 
time Government  contract  was  to  furnish  460  homes  for  Government 
workers  in  the  United  States  Arsenal  at  Rock  Island.  Time  was, 
of  course,  an  important  element.  The  houses  were  in  six  groups  in 
three  localities,  one  in  Moline,  two  in  East  Moline  and  three  in 
Rock  Island.  Although  the  contract  was  signed  in  the  fall,  the 
seventh  of  October,  this  project,  said  to  be  the  second  largest  of 
some  thirty-eight  such  Government  Plousing  Projects  in  the  country, 
was  the  first  one  finished.  460  permanent  and  very  well  appointed 
homes  were  completed,  including  decorating,  in  117  days — an  un- 
paralleled record. 


128 


R   ()    L"    In 


L  A   N   I)       A   R  S   E   N  A   L 


t.  S.  STORAGE  PIT  AT  SAVANNA,  ILL.— REINFORCED  CONCRETE  PIT,  THE  SIZE 

6.     Hangars  at  Chanute  Field,  including  boiler  house  and  heating 
system  for  11  hangars  at  Chanute   Field,  Rantoul.   Illinois. 
11.     Concrete  Highways. 

W  ilh  13  miles  of  concrete  road  in  the  liome  slate  of  Illinois  built 
in  slightly  more  than  one  year  as  a  beginning,  the  company  soon 
branched  out  to  build  such  roads  in  neighboring  states,  as  Iowa  and 
\\'isct)nsin,  until  now  its  reputatitm  for  "smooth-riding"  roads  has 
spread  through  the  east,  the  company  at  this  time  having  under 
construction  three  fine  concrete  roads  in  Pennsylvania.  A  nearby 
state  has  recently  gi\en  the  company  the  record  of  having  built 
the  best-riding  road  in  its  limits. 


SECTION  OF  U.  S.  GOVERNMENT  HOUSING  PROJECT  IN  TRI-CITIES- 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


129 


OF  THREE  CITY  BLOCKS,  FOR  THE  STORING  OF  10,000  CARLOADS  OF  NITRATE. 

IIL     Industrial  Buildings. 

Here  the  list  grows  so  large  that  there  can  at  l^est  be  but  a  touching 
of  the  work  accomplished.  Outstanding  are  such  projects  as  the 
Deere  Harvester  Plant  in  East  Moline,  where  five  large  buildings 
were  under  construction  at  one  time ;  the  Root  &  \  andervoort- 
W'agner  Ordnance  plant,  a  huge  two-story  brick  building  with 
monitor  l)ay  and  crane  way,  all  turned  over  complete  in  70  days;  the 
Deere  Foundry  and  Service  building,  Moline  Power  Plant,  Crescent 
Macaroni  and  Cracker  factory,  Davenport,  Iowa,  etc. 

IV.    Miscellaneous.     (Business  Blocks,  Schools,  Clubs,  Residences,  etc.) 
As  samples  of  business  blocks  in  the  Tri-Cities.  such  buildings  may 


41.(1  HOMES  COMPLETE,  INCLUDING  DECORATlNi;.  ALL  IN   117  DAYS. 


130 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


be  cited  as  the  Robinson  builtliii<i^,  l\nck  Lsland,  for  the  completion 
of  whicii.  under  unusually  trying  circumstances,  a  handsome  reward 
was  given  the  president  of  the  Henry  W.  Horst  Company  by 
the  owner  of  the  building;  the  Reliance  building  in  Moline.  where 
a  bonus  for  speedy  completit)n  was  awarded  the  Company;  the 
Safety  building.  Rock  Island,  the  Watch  Tower  Inn  (completed  in 
hfty  days).  Typical  schools  are  the  Washington  school  and  the 
Immanuel  Lutheran  school  and  hall,  both  in  Rock  Island.  Among 
residences  are  the  Huber  residence.  Rock  Island,  and  the  Soverhill 
residence  in  Midine.  both  i)erfect  in  every  ajipointment ;  and  in 
the  line  of  clul)s.  the  Rock   Island  Club  is  outstanding. 

For  further  record  of  construction  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  Henry 
W.  Horst  Company's  bc^oklets  of  recent  years. 

As  evidence  of  cc)ntinued  wide-awake  management,  under  the  younger 
Mr.  Horst,  the  Comi)any.  just  as  this  history  goes  to  press,  has  succeeded  in 
getting  through  the  LeClaire  Canal,  before  its  completion,  barges  conveying 
material  to  a  point  on  the  Iowa  side  of  the  Mississippi,  where  they  are  open- 
ing a  new  highway  project.  The  Company  thus  becomes  pioneer  users  of  the 
Canal. 


TVPICAI.  OF  VARIK.n  LINES  OF  WORK. 

1.      Iniluslrial  —  Deere  Harvi-sler  Buildings.  2.     Schools — Immanuel  I.utiieran.  3.      Railroads.  4.     Concrete  Highways 

5.      Business  Block — Safety  Building.  6.      Residences  —  Huber  Home. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


131 


"Seventy  Years  of  Service" 

INTRODUCTORY;  —  The  following  sketch  of  the  Rock  Island  railroad,  as  it  relates  to  the  Arsenal  on  Rock  Island, 
has  heen  compiled  from  the  story  of  the  Rock  Island  Lines,  entitled,  "Seventy  Years  of  Service---from  Grant  to  Gor- 
man," written  by  F.  J.  Nevins,  and  pubHshed  by  that  railway,  incident  to  the  celebration  of  its  Seventieth  Anniversary 
on  October  10,  1922.  Copies  of  "  Seventy  Years  of  Service"  may  be  obtained  by  writing  Passenger  Traffic  Depart- 
ment, Rock  Island  Lines,  LaSalle  Station,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


OV'ING  westward  through  America,  the  "Star  of  Empire"  has  closely 
followed  the  lines  of  the  great  railroad  systems.  The  steamboat  and 
the  ox  train  sufficed  for  the  needs  of  the  early  settlers,  but  fell  far 
short  of  affording  transportation  facilities  required  for  the  upbuild- 
ing of  the  inland  industry  of  the  Great  Middle  West. 

The  steam  locomotive  came  in  time  to  prevent  the  United  States  from 
falling   apart    into    two    or   more    separate    political    units.      The    steel    rail 
linked    our    far    flung    settlements    to- 
gether and  still  holds  them  in  a  union 
that   depends  absolutely   upon   efficient 
and  economical  transportation. 

The  Chicago  &  Rock  Island  Rail- 
road, now  known  as  the  Chicago,  Rock 
Island  and  Pacific  Railway,  was  the  first 
railroad  to  connect  the  Mississippi 
river  wnth  the  Great  Lakes  and  with  the 
rail  systems  then  being  developed  in 
the  east.  It  was  the  first  to  bridge  the 
"Father  of  Waters"  at  any  point,  and 
the  first  to  reach  out  into  the  western 
country  beyond,  then  the  land  of  the 
Indian   and   the  buffalo. 

Seventy  years  ago  the  Mississippi 
constituted  a  formidable  barrier  to  the 
growth  of  the  great  land  lying  west 
of  the  Trans-Mississippi  states.  Little 
do  we  realize  now  how  great  an  ob- 
stacle  the   river  was   to   the   westward 

movement  of  human  beings  and  goods  necessary  to  the  development  of 
the  territory  lying  beyond  the  shores  of  this  mighty  stream.  As  yet,  it  was 
unspanned  by  bridges  and  the  art  of  the  railroad  bridge  builder  was  in  its 
infancy,  comparatively  speaking. 

Slow  and  uncertain  ferries,  often  propelled  by  horse  power,  afforded 
the  only  means  of  crossing.  Westward  traffic  sought  out  the  places  where 
topographical  conditions  offered  the  easiest  approach  on  both  sides,  and 
at  those  points  settlements  sprang  up.  When  the  railroads  came,  the 
favored  points  of  intersection  of  land  and  water  transportation  lines  took 
on  new  impetus  and  rapidly  became  cities. 


James  E.  Gorman,  President 


132  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

This  is  what  happened  when  the  first  railroad  pushed  through  to 
the  Mississippi  in  1854.  The  "Chicago  &  Rock  Island"  found  three 
healthy  villages — Rock  Island  and  Moline,  111.,  and  Davenport,  Iowa — 
at  its  crossing  point  with  the  Mississippi.  It  made  them  cities  in  a  sur- 
prisingly short  period.  Had  the  builders  of  the  road  selected  a  different 
route,  the  twenty-odd  square  miles  now  lying  in  their  corporate  limits 
would  still  be  used  mostly  for  agricultural  purposes.  Without  the  Rock 
Island  railroad  there  is  small  likelihood  that  Rock  Island  Arsenal  ever 
would   have   been   established. 

Therefore,  the  story  of  the  building  of  the  "Chicago  &  Rock  Island" 
railroad,  with  its  pioneer  feat  of  bridging  the  Mississippi,  forms  an 
integral  part  of  the  history  of  the  AX'orld's  Greatest  Arsenal.  It  is  a 
significant  fact  that  preparation  of  this  book  was  undertaken  while  the 
Rock  Island  Lines  were  planning  observance  of  their  70th  anniversary, 
falling  on  October  10.  1922. 

It  has  been  generally  assumed  that  the  name  oi  this  great  railroad 
system  was  taken  from  the  city  of  Rock  Island,  but  this  is  not  the  case. 
It  was  the  Island,  the  site  of  old  Fort  Armstrong,  which  suggested  the 
appellation  for  the  road,  just  as  it  did  later  for  the  city  of  Rock  Island. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  when  the  rail  line  was  first  conceived  in  the  minds  of 
a  few  enterprising  citizens  of  northern  Illinois  and  western  Iowa,  the 
town  of  Rock  Island  was  still  known  as  Stephenson,  the  name  selected 
by  its  founders. 

Soon  after  the  Indian  menace  to  white  settlers  had  been  removed  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war,  a  dozen  men  whose  homes  were  in  the  district 
between  Chicago  and  Davenport  interested  themselves  in  the  project  to 
build  a  railroad  connecting  the  Mississippi  at  Rock  Island  with  the  Illinois 
river  at  LaSalle — the  western  end  of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal, 
the  water  route  west  from  Chicago.  In  1845  application  was  made  to  the 
Illinois  legislature  for  a  charter  for  the  "Rock  Island  &  LaSalle  Railroad 
Company."  February  27.  1847,  a  company  was  ft)rmed  under  that  name  and 
with  $300,000  capital.  Judge  James  Crant.  of  Davenport,  was  the  first 
president. 

There  was  plenty  of  local  enthusiasm,  but  sales  of  stock  dragged. 
A  railroad-building  scheme  financed  by  the  state  of  Illinois  had  just  failed 
miserably,  after  $10,000,000  of  the  ta.x  payers'  money  had  been  sunk.  So 
the  Rock  Island  &  LaSalle  did  not  at  first  find  much  favor  among  those 
with  money  to  invest.  Discovery  of  gold  in  California  in  1848  eventually 
furnished  the  impetus  which  set  the  project  in  actual  motion. 

In  1850  congress  was  asked  for  a  right  of  way  through  public  lands 
and  the  Illinf>is  legislature  was  petitioned  for  extension  of  charter  rights 
necessary  to  make  Chicago,  instead  of  LaSalle.  the  eastern  terminus.  The 
name  became  the  "Chicago  &  Rock  Island  Railroad  Company."  Since  the 
line   between    Peru   and    Chicago   would   compete    directly    with   the   state- 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


133 


owned  canal,  a  stipulation  was  forced  by  the  legislature  upon  the  railroad 
company  requiring  it  to  pay  to  the  canal  trustees  sums  equal  to  canal 
freight  charges  on  all  commodities  except  live  stock  carried  by  rail  be- 
tween the  points  named. 

October  1,  1851,  construction  was  started  by  Farnum  &  Sheffield,  of  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  and  the  first  passenger  train  was  run  from  Chicago  to  Joliet 
on  October  10,  1852.     Late  that  year,  at  a  banquet  in  Davenport,  a  project 


Above  view  shows  first  bridge  arross  Mississippi  River.     View  to  right  is  Island  abutment  of  bridge,  preserved  as  memorial. 
View  to  left  is  of  the  famous  Rook  Island  "Silver  Engine"  of  the  early  seventies. 


to   build    a    line    through    Iowa    to    the    Missouri    river    and    to    bridge    the 
Mississippi  at  Rock   Island  was   informally   launched. 

The    Mississippi    &    Missouri    Railroad    Company    was    formed    under 
the  laws  of  Iowa,  February  22,  1852.    In  May  following,  the  first  rail  was  laid 


134  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

en  the  Iowa  side.  January  17,  1853.  the  Illinois  legislature  granted  a  charter 
to  the  "Railroad  Bridge  Company,"  formed  by  those  interested  in  the  rail 
lines  it  was  planned  to  connect.  July  16  of  the  same  year  John  Warner, 
the  contractor,  began  work  on  the  first  pier  on  the  Iowa  shore  of  what  was 
to  become  the  first  bridge  across  the  Mississippi. 

River  transportation  interests  naturally  viewed  prospective  rail  com- 
petition with  apprehension.  Therefore,  they  united  for  the  purpose  of 
obstruction.  At  first  the  idea  of  bridging  the  river  was  merely  ridiculed 
as  foolhardy.  Later  more  forcible  means  of  opposition  were  adopted. 
Rivermen  were  then,  perhaps,  the  most  powerful  group  in  the  Mississippi 
Valley,  with  ample  funds  and  means  of  reaching  those  in  high  govern- 
mental positions. 

Right  of  w^ay  across  the  Island  was  claimed  by  the  railroad  company 
under  the  terms  of  its  state  charter  and  also  under  act  of  congress,  giving 
use  of  necessary  space  through  public  lands  to  all  railroad  and  turnpike 
companies.  The  Iowa  legislature  had  formally  sanctioned  the  undertaking 
so  far  as  it  had  authority  to  do  so.  However,  Jeflferson  Davis,  then  sec- 
retary of  war,  claimed  that  the  Island,  having  been  set  aside  for  use  of 
his  department,  was  not  public  land  and  the  state  had  no  rights  therein.  He 
forbade  the  railroad  company  to  lay  tracks  or  build  a  bridge  there.  Next 
came  application  for  an  injunction  in  the  federal  court  for  the  northern 
district  of  Illinois,  made  at  the  request  of  the  secretary  of  war.  Hearing 
was  before  Judge  John  McLean  in  July,  1855,  title  of  the  case  being  "The 
United  States  vs.  the  Railroad  Bridge  Company,  et  al."  The  federal  district 
attorney  contested  both  the  right-of-way  on  land  and  the  building  of  the 
bridge,  which  was  held  an  obstruction  to  navigation,  but  the  court  held 
with  the  defendant,  and  denied  the  motion  for  injunction. 

In  the  meantime,  work  on  the  railroad  and  bridge  had  gone  on  with- 
out interruption,  and  on  April  21,  1856,  nearly  two  years  after  the  road 
through  Illinois  had  been  completed,  the  first  locomotive  steamed  across 
the  "first  bridge"  to  the  Iowa  shore.  Next  day  a  train  of  three  locomotives 
and  eight  passenger  cars  crossed.  The  aggregate  weight  of  this  train 
was  67  tons.  Trains  weighing  2.200  tons  now  dail)^  almost  hourly,  cross 
the  bridge  at  Rock  Island. 

Two  weeks  after  the  bridge  was  opened,  the  steamer  Efiie  Afton 
became  unmanageable  just  above  the  draw  span,  drifted  against  the  pier 
and  took  fire.  Boat  and  span  were  destroyed.  This  brought  the  wrath 
of  the  rivermen  to  a  climax.  Suit  for  damage  followed.  Judge  McLean 
again  presided,  the  case  being  "Hurd,  et  al  vs.  the  Railroad  Bridge  Company." 
Abraham  Lincoln,  after  visiting  Rock  Island  to  familiarize  himself  with 
the  situation,  and  especially  with  the  river  currents  at  the  bridge,  appeared 
for  the  defense.  It  was  one  of  the  last  cases  in  which  he  took  part  before 
turning  his  attention  to  the  political  movement  which  later  carried  him  into 
the  presidency  of  the  United  States,  and  served  to  call  national  attention  to 
Mr.  Lincoln. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


135 


A  vast  mass  of  evidence  w^as  presented  to  prove  the  bridge  an  obstruc- 
tion to  navigation.  Lincoln  handled  the  issue  with  his  usual  skill  and 
secured  disagreement  of  the  jury,  thereby  exceeding  the  expectations  of 
his  clients.     Public  sentiment  admittedly  was  averse  to  the  defense. 

About  this  time  congress  took  a  hand  in  the  controversy,  ordering  an 
investigation  to  determine  if  the  bridge  were,  in  fact,  a  serious  obstruction 
to  navigation.  The  committee  on  commerce  conducted  the  inquiry  and 
decided  in  the  affirmative,  but  added  that  in  its  opinion  the  courts  were 
fully  qualified  to  deal  with  the  situation.    Congress  concurred  in  the  finding. 

Encouraged  by  the  report  of  the  committee,  the  river  interests  made 
one  more  fight.  James  Ward,  a  St.  Louis  steamboat  owner,  started  an  action 
in  the  United  States  Court  for  the  southern  district  of  Iowa  to  have  the 
bridge  declared  a  nuisance  and  secure  an  order  for  its  removal.  This  the 
court,  in  due  time,  did.  Judge  John  M.  Love  finding  the  structure  "a  com- 
mon and  public  nuisance,"  and  ordering  destruction  of  the  three  northern 
piers  with  their  superstructure,  which  lay  within  the  jurisdiction  of  Iowa. 
This  order  was  not  carried  out,  because  the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  in 
December,  1862,  reversed  the  finding  of  the  District  Court.  That  ended 
the  litigation,  which  had  been  watched  with  interest  all  o\'er  the  country, 
involving,  as  it  did,  c(uestions  which 
presented  themselves  wherever  rail- 
roads were  compelled  to  cross  import- 
ant navigable  streams. 

Much  that  is  of  interest  necessarily 
has  been  omitted  from  this  brief  outline 
of  events  attending  the  pioneer  work  of 
building  the  Rock  Island  Lines.  With 
the  later  history  of  the  system  the  pres- 
ent generation  is  more  or  less  familiar. 
How  the  road  first  planned  merely  to 
connect  two  inland  waterways,  scarcely 
100  miles  apart,  has  grown  into  a  great 
system  of  8,122  miles,  extending  its 
service  to  the  Pacific  coast  and  forming 
the  leading  artery  of  commerce  through 
the  most  productive  areas  of  the  Mid- 
dle West ;  how  it  always  has  kept 
abreast  of  or  a  little  in  advance  of  the 
times,  mechanically,  and  in  meeting  the 
needs  of  its  territory  ;  how  it  has  built 

up  the  Tri-City  community  about  Rock  Island  and  made  the  development 
of  the  Arsenal  there  possible,  need  be  no  more  than  referred  to  here. 
Its    tracks    form    a    network,    many    miles    long    in    the    aggregate,    in    the 


kI  Ginl  Traffic  Mgr. 


136 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R   S    F.    \   A    L 


Gineral  UtT.ce.-  .  nii  Ch.rago  Term  na!  K".  I.  M:  n<l  I  i 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  137 

district  about  the   Island,  and   its  great   locomotive  repair  shops   at   Silvis, 
nearby,  are  among  the  largest  in  the  land. 

Having  exclusive  access  to  the  Island,  the  Rock  Island  railroad  is, 
and  always  has  been,  the  right  arm  of  the  Arsenal.  This  was  again  made 
plain  during  the  World  War,  when  thousands  of  carloads  of  material  and 
finished  products  were  handled  in  a  manner  that  was  entirely  satisfactory. 
After  the  armistice  was  signed,  thousands  of  carloads  of  war  material 
were  returned  there  for  storage. 

Always  the  Rock  Island  Lines  have  been  closely  identified  with  the 
community  surrounding  the  Island  which  gave  the  system  its  name.  This 
desirable  condition  has  been  furthered  by  the  personal  contact  of  a  number 
of  high  executive  officers  of  the  company  with  the  Tri-Cities.  Judge 
James  Grant,  a  Davenport  man,  was  president  of  the  original  company. 
R.  R.  Cable,  later  identified  with  the  road  as  president  and  chairman  of 
the  board  of  directors,  made  his  home  in  the  city  of  Rock  Island  for 
many  years.  Leon  M.  Allen,  now  vice-president  and  passenger  traffic 
manager,  began  his  career  in  Davenport,  and  naturally  feels  a  strong 
personal  interest  in  the  locality. 

The  Rock  Island  road  was  founded  by  men  of  broad  vision  and  keen 
foresight.  Those  who  have  managed  it  have  been  able  and  enterprising. 
Service  has  been  their  watchword.  They  have  realized  that  in  the  up- 
building of   its  territory  lay  the  railroad's   opportunity   for  growth. 

The  historian's  part  is  not  only  to  record  events,  but  to  indicate  causes. 
The  story  of  the  Rock  Island  Lines  is  an  interesting  story.  It  involves 
the  typical  play  of  forces  which  have  made  the  United  States  the  greatest 
nation  on  earth.  It  tells  how  the  "Star  of  Empire"  came  to  the  Mississippi 
river,  and  beyond. 


138  ROCK       1   S  L  A  X   D       ARSENAL 

The  Tri-Cities  and  'The  BurUiiiiton  Raih'oad 

In  the  development  of  tlie  business  community  embracing  the  cities  of 
Davenport,  Rock  Island  and  Moline,  together  with  Mast  Moline  and  Betten- 
dorf,  and  known  as  "The  Tri-Cities."  a  distinctive  factor  of  constantly 
increasing  importance  has  been  and  is  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
Railroad,  which  serves  this  great  region  through  four  gateways — its  two 
lines  from  Chicago,  one  via  Mendota,  Prophetstown  and  Denrock,  formerly 
known  as  the  Illinois  Grand  Trunk;  the  other  via  Aurora,  Shabbona,  Sterling 
and  Barstow  to  East  Moline,  formerly  known  as  the  Chicago  &  Rock  River 
Line;  its  line  from  East  St.  Louis,  formerly  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  & 
St.  Louis,  and  the  Davenport.  Rock  Island  &  Northwestern,  with  its 
Crescent  bridge,  in  which  the  Burlington  owns  a  one-half  interest. 

A  brief  sketch  showing  how  these  four  important  Burlington  lines 
entered  into  the  transportation  business  in  the  Tri-City  territory  is  of  ab- 
sorbing- interest. 


The  C.  B.  &  Q.  Railroad  (  Burlington  Route)  was  born  in  Aurora.  Illinois, 
with  four  lines  diverging  east,  west,  north  and  south. 

The  Burlington  is  the  shortest  rail  line  between  Chicago  and  Rock 
Island — the  distance  from  Chicago  via  Mendota  and  Denrock  to  and  into 
Rock  Island  being  169  miles.  This  route  is  over  the  Burlington's  main  line 
from  Chicago  to  Mendota,  thence  to  Denrock  over  the  old  Illinois  Grand 
Trunk  (incorporated  in  1852  as  the  Joliet  and  Terre  Haute,  and  re-organized 
in  1859.  but  not  actually  built  to  Denrock  until  1871).  and  thence  into  Rock 
Island  in  1879. 

II 

The  Burlington's  other  line  from  Chicago  comes  in  by  way  of  Sterling 
and  Barstow  to  East  Moline.  then  into  Davenport  over  the  Crescent  bridge. 
This  line  from  Aurora  to  Shabbona  is  the  old  Chicago  &  Iowa;  from  Shab- 
bona, as  the  old  Chicago  &  Rock  River,  it  heads  for  Rock  Falls  and  Sterling, 
thence  to  Barstow  and  into  East  Moline,  and  then  into  Moline,  utilizing  a 
l)art  of  the  old  Rockford,  Rock  Island  and  St.  Louis. 

The  Chicago  &  Rock  River  was  organized  in  1867,  completed  to  Sterling 
in  1884,  and  provided  an  additional  Burlington-all-the-way  Tri-City-Chi- 
cago  line.  Thousands  of  cars  of  freight  are  annually  handled  over  these  two 
lines. 

Ill 

The  story  of  the  300  miles  of  Burlington  rails  stretching  south  from  the 
Tri-Cities  to  East  St.  Louis  is  filled  with  human  interest.  That  splendid  rail- 
road is  the  product  of  the  genius  and  courage  of  a  distinguished  citizen  of 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


139 


140  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

iQ^va — Judge  George  Greene — who  did  more  to  develop  Cedar  Rapids  and  its 
industries  than  any  other  man. 

The  original  company,  called  the  Rock  Island  &  Alton  Railroad,  which 
had  authority  to  build  "from  Rock  Island  to  Whitehall,  in  Green  County, 
Illinois,  and  thence  to  Illinoistown"  (now  East  St.  Louis),  was  incorporated 
by  a  special  act  of  the  Illinois  Legislature.  February  14.  1855.  This  was  a 
"paper"  railroad.  In  1859  its  name  was  changed  to  St.  Louis.  Alton  &  Rock 
Island.  That  company  secured  a  large  part  of  the  right  of  way.  and  in  1860 
had  built  a  railroad  grade  between  Beardstown  and  Whitehall.  'I'hen  came 
the  Civil   War.  which  stopped  all   railroad  building. 

After  the  war  Judge  (ireene  conceived  the  idea  of  building  a  north  and 
south  railroad  from  Rockft)rd.  via  Rock  Island,  to  St.  Louis,  and  incorporated 
his  company  as  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  &  St.  Louis.  This  was  a  part  of 
the  great  movement  for  railroad  building  after  the  war.  which  culminated 
in  the  panic  of  1873.  Judge  Greene's  Rock  Island  road  went  down  with  a 
crash.  The  mortgage  was  foreclosed,  and  in  1876  the  line  was  sold  at  i)ublic 
auction  to  Heymann  Osterberg.  who  represented  the  Holland  bondholders. 
They  re-organized  the  company  under  a  new  name — the  St.  Louis,  Rock 
Island  &  Chicago — and  sold  the  road  to  the  Burlington,  which,  in  1879.  built 
into  Rock  Island  from  Port  Byron  Junction  (seven  miles),  thus  bringing 
the  Tri-City  territory  into  their  system. 

From  Concord.  I^elow  Beardstown.  n(jrth.  this  line  is  utilized  by  the 
Burlington  as  part  of  its  important  through  coal  route,  over  which  thousands 
of  cars  of  southern  Illinois  coal  are  carried  annually  to  St.  Paul.  Minnea])olis. 
and  the  great  Northwest. 

Judge  Greene  lost  his  money,  but  his  railroad  remains  to  serve  the 
public  for  all  time. 

IV 

It  was  a  business  stroke  of  the  Burlington  to  promote  the  construction 
of  the  Davenport.  Rock  Island  &  Northwestern,  including  the  Crescent 
bridge,  organized  in  1884  as  a  bridge  company  by  citizens  of  Davenport,  who 
secured  an  Act  of  Congress  authorizing  the  construction  of  the  bridge. 

I'.ut  the  comjjany  had  no  money  with  which  to  build,  and  the  project 
hung  fire  for  ten  years.  In  February.  1895,  the  name  was  changed  to  Daven- 
port &  Rock  Island  Bridge.  Railway  d^  Terminal  Company,  its  articles 
amended  to  provide  for  a  railroad  also  from  the  foot  of  Perry  street  across 
the  bridge  into  Rock  Island.  In  1898  the  name  was  changed  to  the  present 
company.  The  bridge  cost  $1,500,000  and  was  opened  for  business  on  January 
1.1900.' 

The  money  to  build  the  bridge  and  the  lines  of  railroad  connected  with 
it  WIS  furnished  thrf)Ugh  the  credit  of  the  Burlington  and  St.  Paul  companies 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  141 

jointly,  and  those  two  companies  operate  not  only  the  Ijridge  but  the  rail- 
road. Under  the  name  "Davenport,  Clinton  &  Eastern,"  these  two  companies 
built  a  line  34  miles  long  between  Clinton  and  Davenport,  which  is  also  used 
jointly.  Burlington  passenger  trains  between  Minneapolis,  St.  Paul  and  St. 
Louis  use  this  route  through  Davenport,  Rock  Island  and  Moline. 

About  the  same  time,  pursuant  to  other  plans  for  developing  a  great 
terminal  system  to  serve  the  Tri-Cities,  the  companies  named  organized  rail- 
roads in  Illinois  to  extend  these  lines  to  East  Moline  and  other  points  in 
Rock  Island  County. 

As  a  result  of  all  these  activities,  the  Burlington  is  in  an  enviable  position 
to  provide  a  highly  important  and  genuinely  useful  transportation  service  to 
and  from  the  hearts  of  Davenport,  Rock  Island  and  Moline — prepared  to 
serve  the  public  with  the  necessary  facilities  to  enable  it  to  receive  food  and 
other  essentials,  raw  materials,  forward  finished  products,  and  travel  to 
and  from  all  parts  of  the  world.  In  this  Tri-City  territory  the  Burlington 
and  its  interests  own  in  round  number  208  acres  of  land  occupied  by  in- 
dustrial tracks  and  terminal  facilities  which  reach  all  important  industries, 
enabling  the  road  to  serve  them  cheaply  with  the  very  best  quality  of  Illinois 
coal  and  at  the  same  time  with  its  own  rails  placing  them  in  close  touch 
with  the  markets  of  Chicago,  St.  Louis,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis,  Peoria,  Omaha, 
Denver,  St.  Joseph,  Kansas  City,  and  all  points  on  its  9,389  miles  of  road 
reaching  into  eleven  great  states,  as  well  as  all  points  on  all  connecting  lines. 

The  Tri-Cities  have  a  great  future,  and  the  Burlington  is  prepared  to 
promote  the  interests  of  the  Tri-Cities  by  providing  a  businesslike  and  de- 
pendable transportation  service. 

Tri-City  passenger  business  of  the  Burlington  is  in  charge  of  the 
following: 

M.  H.  Teed,  Passenger  and  Ticket  agent,  foot  of  Perry  street.  Phone 
743,  Davenport. 

G.  H.  McEwen,  Ticket  Agent,  20th  Street  Station.  Phone  764,  Rock 
Island. 

H.  S.  Fristoe,  Ticket  Agent.  Phone  860,  Moline,  Moline  Passenger 
Station. 

H.  W.  Crawford,  Division  Freight  Agent,  is  located  in  the  20th  Street 
Station,  Phone  679,  Rock  Island. 


142 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


1?  ■    -  i-f'^"' 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  143 

The  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad 

Men  are  deeply  interested  only  in  those  things  which  touch  and  become 
a  part  of  their  lives.  The  more  intimate  and  constant  the  association,  the 
greater  the  interest. 

Breathes  there  a  man  with  soul  so  dead  that  the  sight  or  sound  or  a  mov- 
ing railroad  train  does  not  thrill  some  hl^re  of  his  being,  or  awaken  at  least  a 
faint  yearning  for  change  of  scenery,  for  travel  or  adventure?  Tied  down 
to  his  daily  routine  behind  desk  or  counter,  the  whistle  of  a  passing 
locomotive  suggests  to  the  city  man  the  free  out-of-doors  and  restful  rural 
scenes,  while  the  same  sound  brings  to  the  farmer  or  villager  visions  of  the 
busy  marts  of  trade  and  centers  of  industry,  with  their  bustling  crowds  and 
hum  of  traffic.  The  man  in  the  freezing  north  thinks  of  the  balmy  south, 
while  the  man  in  the  torrid  clime  thinks  of  places  where  there  is  deep  shade, 
or  where  cooling  breezes  blow.  Few  among  us  fail  to  sense  in  the  sound 
a  subtle  invitation,  and  in  some  measure  to  respond  to'  it. 

So  much  for  the  romantic  side.  Getting  down  fo  brass  tacks,  the  whistle 
of  a  locomotive  means  to  nine-tenths  of  our  inland  population  something 
rather  more  practical,  if  more  prosiac.  It  means  bread  and  butter,  clothing, 
shelter,  fuel.  It  means  practically  all  the  necessities  of  life,  with  the  comforts 
and  tiie  luxuries  thrown  in.  Without  the  railroad  this  productive  and  thriv- 
ing Middle  West  would  now  be  but  little  farther  advanced  than  it  was  when 
our  forefathers  of  the  covered  wagon  found  it.  Small  wonder,  then,  that  the 
story  of  the  building  and  operating  of  our  great  railroad  systems  is  one  of 
universal  interest. 

More  than  half  a  century  has  been  required  for  the  building  of  the 
Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Raihvay  as  it  is  today — half  a  century  filled 
with  stirring  events,  with  struggle  and  conquest  over  the  forces  of  nature 
and  rival  transportation  interests.  From  a  small  beginning,  it  has  reached 
out  mile  by  mile,  first  over  the  upper  Mississippi  valley,  then  over  the 
Missouri  valley,  then  across  the  plains  and  mountains,  finally  pushing  its 
lines  through  to  the  Pacific  coast.  Wherever  it  has  gone  it  has  been  a  builder 
of  wealth  and  pojmlation,  l^ringing  civilization  to  regions  that  but  for  its 
coming  would  have  remained  little  more  productive  or  inviting  than  the 
desert. 

In  1863  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway  Company  was  formed,  and 
])urchased  at  foreclosure  sale  105  miles  of  railroad,  extending  from  Portage, 
Wisconsin,  to  LaCrosse,  on  the  Mississippi.  Though  it  was  the  ambition 
of  the  promoters  to  unite  the  Wisconsin  metropolis  with  the  rapidly  growing 
community  at  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Mississippi,  it  was  some  time 
before  their  line  reached  either  point.  Access  to  Milwaukee  was  gained  by 
purchase  of  a  number  of  short  lines,  but  the  company  operated  wholly 
within  the  state  of  Wisconsin  fc^r  a  number  of  years. 

The  first  stockholders'  meeting  was  held  in  1865.  Alexander  Mitchell 
was  the  first  jiresident  and  S.   S.  Merrill  the  first  general  manager.     Both 


144  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

held   office   many   years,   the    property   growing    into   a   trunk    line    railway 
under  their  administration. 

In  1867  two  lines  being  built  from  McGregor.  Iowa,  to  St.  Paul,  by  way 
of  Austin,  Minn.,  were  bought,  and  in  November  of  that  year  a  road  was 
opened  for  business,  being  the  lirst  to  connect  Milwaukee  with  the  Twin- 
Cities,  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis.  At  first  a  ferry  was  used  to  transfer  cars 
across  the  Mississippi  between  McGregor  and  Prairie  du  Chien.  The 
company  changed  its  name  to  the  "Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul"  in  1872, 
and  the  following  year  it  completed  its  own  line  to  Chicago. 

At  the  close  of  the  nineteenth  century  the  Milwaukee  system  embraced 
more  than  8,000  miles  of  track,  its  rails  criss-crossing  Wisconsin,  Iowa, 
Minnesota  and  South  Dakota,  and  reaching  up  into  North  Dakota  and  down 
into  Missouri.  It  had  bridged  the  Mississippi  river  at  six  places  and  touched 
the  Missouri  at  almost  as  many  points. 

Coming  of  the  Milwaukee  to  Moline  and  Rock  Island  was  over  the  old 
Western  Union  line  between  Savanna  and  Port  Byron.  That  road,  promoted 
by  Milwaukee  interests,  was  completed  in  1870,  purchasing  the  Chicago, 
Rock  Island  &;  Pacific's  stub  line  between  Port  Byron  and  Port  Byron  Junc- 
tion, now  East  Moline,  and  using  the  Rock  Island's  tracks  and  terminals  in 
the  two  cities.  In  1881,  the  Western  Union  was  absorbed  by  the  Milwaukee, 
though  the  latter  did  not  secure  terminals  of  its  own  until  1900. 

Prior  to  1874,  the  Davenport  &  St.  Paul  Railroad  Company  w^as  organ- 
ized to  construct  a  rail  line  from  Davenport  to  St.  Paul.  This  corporation 
built  north  from  Davenport  to  Fayette,  Iowa,  w-ith  a  branch  from  Eldridge, 
about  eleven  miles  from  Davenport,  to  Maquoketa,  and  crossing  the  C.  M.  & 
St.  P.  line  at  Oxford  Junction.  The  company  w-as  reorganized  in  1876. 
under  the  name  of  Davenport  &  Northwestern,  and  the  property  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  C.  M.  &  St.  P.  in  1879. 

Through  co-operation  with  the  Chicago,  Uurlington  &  Quincy,  the 
Milwaukee  eventually  came  into  possession  of  a  well-])Ianned  terminal 
system  covering  the  Tri-Cities,  including  the  suburbs  of  East  Moline  and 
Bettendorf,  and  also  the  joint  ownership  of  a  l^ridge  across  the  Mississippi 
river  and  a  line  along  the  river  to  Clinton,  Iowa.  Several  corporations  were 
formed  to  execute  plans  for  this  development.  The  Davcn])iirt.  Clinton  & 
Eastern  was  organized  in  1895  and  completed  the  road  from  Davenport  to 
Clinton  in  1898.  The  bridge  was  built  by  the  Davenport  &  Rock  Island 
Bridge,  Railway  and  'i^erminal  Company.  The  different  corporations  were 
later  merged  as  the  i)resent  Davenport,  Rock  Island  &  Northwestern,  the 
property  being  jointly  owned  and  operated  by  the  Milwaukee  and  Burling- 
ton companies. 

In  1901  the  Milwaukee  completed  a  cut-off  between  Muscatine  and 
Ottumwa,   Iowa,  and   began   operating   its   southwest  service   from   Chicago 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  145 

to  Kansas  City  via  the  Tri-Cities.  Tracks  of  the  Rock  Island  are  used  be- 
tween Davenport  and  Muscatine.  Terminal  yards  were  built  at  Nahant,  just 
west  of  Davenport. 

After  the  Spanish-American  war,  giving  the  United  States  a  foothold  in 
the  Orient,  the  growing  importance  of  Pacific  coast  trade  was  brought  to  the 
attention  of  middle  western  railroads.  The  Milwaukee,  however,  was  the 
only  one  among  them  that  saw  fit  to  reach  out  for  this  business  with  a  line  of 
its  own  through  to  the  western  slope.  Several  years  were  spent  in  making 
surveys,  and  in  April,  1906,  building  of  the  new  trans-continental  line  was 
Ijegun.  This  extends  from  Mobridge,  S.  D.,  westward  across  the  Dakota 
prairies,  the  Montana  plains  and  three  great  ranges  of  mountains,  the  Idaho 
panhandle,  the  eastern  Washington  hills  and  valleys  and  the  Cascade  moun- 
tains, ending  on  Puget  sound  at  Seattle  and  Tacoma.  The  last  spike  was 
driven  in  July.  1909,  making  the  completion  of  1,500  miles  of  heavy  con- 
struction. Freight  service  was  inaugurated  at  once,  passenger  trains  fol- 
lowed two  years  later,  after  the  road  had  been  brought  to  a  high  state  of 
perfection  and  thoroughly  tested.  About  seven  hundred  miles  of  this  road, 
including  sections  with  the  heaviest  grades,  have  since  been  electrified.  The 
company  was  one  of  the  first  to  make  so  extensive  a  change  in  its  motive 
power,  and  the  undertaking  attracted  the  attention  of  railroad  men  all  over 
the  world.  The  economies  eft'ected  have  more  than  justified  the  added  in- 
vestment. 

The  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  owns  and  operates  its  own  sleeping 
and  dining  cars.  It  was  the  first  to  introduce  electric  lights  on  trains  and 
the  first  to  operate  solid  steel  trains  in  trans-continental  service.  Its  position 
has  been  one  of  leadership  in  every  department  of  railroading.  It  now  has 
10,635  miles  of  track,  traversing  a  rich  agricultural  territory,  the  greatest 
grain  growing  belt  in  the  world,  and  placing  it  in  touch  with  the  world's 
markets,  east  and  west.  With  its  four  lines  radiating  from  them,  and  its 
comprehensive  terminal  system,  it  ofi^ers  the  Tri-Cities  the  best  of  service. 

Officers  of  the  Chicago.  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway  are: 

Mr.  H.  E.  Byram,  President;  Mr.  B.  B.  Greer.  Vice-President,  in  charge 
of  operation;  Mr.  R.  M.  Calkins,  Vice-President,  in  charge  of  traffic;  Mr. 
H.  B.  Earling,  Vice-President,  Seattle,  Wash.;  Mr.  E.  D.  Sewall,  Vice- 
President,  Chicago;  Mr.  C.  B.  Ferry  and  Mr.  George  G.  Mason,  Vice-Presi- 
dents, New  York  City;  Mr.  J.  T.  Gillick,  General  Manager,  Chicago;  Mr. 
iivlacy  Nicholson,  General  Manager,  Seattle;  Mr.  H.  E.  Pierj)ont,  Traffic 
Manager,  Chicasfo. 


146  ROCK       IS   L  A   XI)       ARSENAL 

The  W  alsh  Construction  Company 

Half  a  century  ago.  when  the  original  shop  buildings  were  in  course  of 
construction,  a  young  Davenporter,  Patrick  T.  Walsh  by  name,  worked  at 
Rock  Island  Arsenal  as  stonecutter.  Marks  of  his  chisel  may  be  seen  to 
this  day  upon  many  a  block  in  those  durable  walls,  for  he  spent  eleven  indus- 
trious years  there,  serving  his  apprenticeship  and  becoming  a  skilled  work- 
man. 

More  than  forty  years  later  the  A\'alsh  Ci^)nstruction  Company,  which 
this  same  young  man  had  organized  and  made  a  power  in  its  field,  and  to 
which  he  had  given  his  life,  came  to  the  aid  of  the  national  government  in 
the  trying  days  of  world  conflict,  and  helped  to  complete  Rock  Island 
Arsenal  as  it  stands  today.  Manned,  equipped  and  organized  for  doing 
big  things  i)romptly  and  well,  and  still  animated  by  the  spirit  of  Pat 
Walsh,  it  quickly  turned  from  peace  work  to  war  work.  Many  of  the 
new  storage  and  other  buildings  that  sprang  up  on  the  Island  during  and 
immediately  after  the  close  of  the  war  stand  as  monuments  to  its  efficiency 
and  patriotism. 

Strangely  enough,  there  is  something  more  than  a  casual  connection 
between  the  employment  of  Pat  Walsh  as  stonecutter  at  the  Arsenal  and 
the  services  rendered  during  the  W^orld  War  by  the  company  bearing  his 
name.  If  the  young  man  had  not  been  a  building  tradesman  on  the  Island, 
it  is  more  than  possible  that  there  never  would  have  l)een  a  Walsh  Con- 
struction Company.  For  young  A\'alsh  lost  his  job.  They  said  he  was  an 
agitator.  He  led  a  fight  for  an  eight-hour  day.  winning  the  contest,  but 
losing  his  standing  with  the  Ijosses.  And  so,  thrown  upon  his  own  resources, 
with  a  family  to  support,  he  became  a  contractor. 

At  first  his  undertakings  were  small,  and  liis  w<irk  ga\e  little  e\idence 
of  hi^  latent  abilities.  From  stone  cutting  he  turned  to  dirt  moving.  He  dug 
cellars  and  sewers,  laid  water  mains,  and  gradually  prepared  himself  for 
more  ambitious  things.  Finally,  after  some  years,  during  which  he  had 
managed  to  accumulate  a  little  capital,  he  secured  a  contract  to  make  a  fill 
on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  (!^  Quincy  railroad  at  Galva.  Illinois,  and  thus 
entered  upon  an  era  of  railroad  construction  which  probably  has  not  been 
equalled  by  any  other  contracting  organization  in  the  United  States.  Thou- 
sands of  miles  of  track  have  been  laid  and  millions  of  yards  of  earth  and 
stone  have  been  moved.  Single  operations  undertaken  by  the  Walsh  com- 
panies have  involved  the  expenditure  of  millions  of  dollars.  The  reputation 
of  Mr.  Walsh  as  a  builder  and  the  magnitude  of  his  resources  may  be 
judged  by  the  fact  that  he  was  one  of  the  few  construction  men  asked  to  bid 
on  the  excavating  of  the  Panama  canal  when  it  was  planned  to  have  the 
work  done  by   ])ri\ate   contract.     Had   that   method   been   followed,  there   is 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


147 


m^ 


iii:n  i;y  c.  kaiil 

\'ir,.     I'l-rsi.l.Mit 


148  ROCK        1    S    L  A    X    1)       A    K  S    K   N   A    I, 

little   doubt   that   the    Walsh   oriiaiiizatioii    wnuld    ha\i'    li^urtMl    prominently 
in  the  enterprise  that  connected  the  iwo  oceans  al  the  Isllnnus  of   Tanania. 

For  many  years  railroad  construction  of  all  kinds  has  been  given  special 
attention  by  the  Walsh  companies.  Not  infrecjuently.  however,  they  have 
gone  out  of  their  i)articular  held  to  erect  buildings  and  bridges  and  to  do 
canal,  harbor  and  dock  work.  I'esides  the  Arsenal  work  already  referred  to, 
some  of  the  most  n(ttable  undertakings  in  the  Tri-Cities  are  the  Kahl  build- 
ing and  the  upper  four  floors  of  the  Hlackhawk  hotel  in  Davenport.  Walsh 
companies  have  operated  at  one  time  or  another  in  nearly  every  state  in  the 
Union.  A  fully  ecpiipped  organization  is  maintained,  capable  of  almost  any 
enteri)rise  in  the  line  of  construction. 

In  addition  li)  work  done  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  during  the  war,  the 
Walsh  Construction  Company  was  extensively  engaged  in  the  erection  of 
storehouses  at  the  Savanna  Proving  (Irounds,  which  are  an  adjunct  of  the 
Arsenal.  The  Symington  plant  at  Chicago,  another  large  supply  depot,  was 
also  completed  for  the  War  i  )ei)artment.  and  much  e(juii)ment  was  rented 
to  the  American  International  Ship  liuilding  Corporation  for  use  at  the 
Hog  Island  shij)  }ards. 

At  Rock  Island  the  company  built  a  concrete  general  storage  building, 
five  vehicle  storehouses,  oliice  building  No.  2.  civilian  hospital,  ward  and 
isolation  hospital,  and  bakery,  and  remodelled  barracks  "B"  and  "C"  and 
the  \'.  Al.  C.  A.  building:  the  l^ital   cost  being  approximately  $3,000,000. 

In  its  earlier  days  the  Walsh  organization  did  considerable  street  pa\ing. 
a  number  of  the  leading  thoroughfares  in  the  Tri-Cities  having  been  im- 
proved. Latterly  little  attention  has  been  paid  to  street  and  highway  work. 
Most  of  the  luore  recent  railroad  construction  has  consisted  of  widening  cuts 
and  fills,  reducing  grades,  double  tracking,  and  building  yards,  freight  and 
passenger  stations,  engine  houses,  car  shops  and  bridges.  Much  of  the  con- 
struction work  of  the  New  York  Central  is  done  by  this  firm.  (  )lher  lines 
with  wdiich  the  company  has  had  extensive  business  relations  include  the 
Hudson  River  road;  P)ig  Four;  Clexeland  (.*<:  Youngstown ;  Frie  ;  Chicago, 
Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  ;  Chicago  *.\:  Xorlinveslern  :  St.  Louis  &  San  p-rancisco; 
Illinois  Central,  and  New  York.  Chicago  \-  St.  Louis.  During  the  current 
year  (1922).  the  Walsh  Construction  Company  undertook  its  largest  contract 
in  the  building  for  the  Hudson  I\i\er  Road  of  a  bridge  across  the  Hudson  at 
Castlett'U.  N.  \'..  together  with  grading  on  buih  sides  of  the  ri\-er.  This  is  a 
$6,000,000  j(.b. 

P.  T.  Walsh  died  March  U),  19U),  at  the  age  of  si.\t}-one.  In  e\ery  good 
work  in  the  coinnuuiity  lie  had  l)ei'n  a  le.ider,  and  his  interests  were  many. 
His  company  he  left  in  capable  hands  of  his  own  selection  and  training,  and 
his  influence  is  scarcely  less  ])otent  now  than  when  he  was  present  in  the  flesh. 

While  .Mr.  Walsh  was  the  dominant  figure  in  all  liis  enter])rises,  him- 
self doing  a  prodigious  amount  of  work,  it  was  his  faculty  for  selecting  and 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


149 


avtracting  other  good  men,  and  of  uniting  them  into  a  highly  efficient  organi- 
zation, that  made  his  great  accomplishments  possible.  The  loyalty  of 
employees,  from  the  humblest  shovelman  to  the  highest  paid  engineer,  was 
proverbial.  That  loyalty  was  won  by  a  magnetic  personality  and  retained 
l)y  living  up  to  every  agreement  with  his  men.  The  Walsh  crews  always  fared 
a  little  better  than  any  others  doing  the  same  kind  of  work.  They  were 
better  paid  and  provided  with  I)etter  food  and  quarters.     The  Walsh  equip- 


WORK  DONE  BY  THE  WALSH  CONSTRUCTION   (((Ml'ANY   M    HOCK   ISI.A.NLI  ARSKX Al. 

Upper  left— Drilling  for  foundation  of  six  story  contrele  warehouse. 

Lower  left— Typical  one  story  artillery  vehicle  storehouse,  one  of  eight  completed  by  this  company,  dimensions  of  each  being  150x500  feet. 

Upper  right— View  of  six  story  reinforced  concrete  warehouse  during  period  of  construction. 

Lower  right---Temporary  office  building. 


150  R  O   C   K       1    S   L  A   N   J)       ARSENAL 

ment  was  never  allowed  to  deteriorate.  Mr.  Walsh  knew  from  experience 
in  the  years  of  his  hunihle  bep^inning  that  a  man  must  be  well  fed,  comfort- 
able and  satisfied  with  his  conditions  in  order  to  give  good  service.  Another 
influence  tliat  kept  the  organization  keyed  to  a  high  pilch  was  the  knowledge 
among  those  cajjabie  of  larger  responsibilities  that  they  would  be  given  their 
chance.  Merit  did  not  long  remain  unrecognized  or  go  unrewarded.  Many 
a  man  who  started  in  an  hum])le  capacity  with  Mr.  Walsh  rose  to  a  place  of 
leadership  and  allluence.  some  directing  branch  companies  bearing  their 
own  names.  Among  the  auxiliary  concerns  thus  formed  were  the  Kahl 
Construction  Company,  the  Walsh-Kahl  Construction  Company,  the  Walsh- 
Hogan  Construction  Comi)any.  the  McGrath  Construction  Company,  the  T.  J. 
Walsh  Construction  Company  and  the  ^\^alco  Construction  Company.  The 
subsidiary  concerns  were  merged  in  1899,  and  incorporated  under  the  laws  of 
Iowa,  and  with  the  present  name,  P.  T.  Walsli  l)cing  first  president. 

Present  officers  of  the  Walsh  Construction  Company  are:  President, 
T.J.  Walsh;  \'ice-President.  II.  C.  Kahl;  Treasurer,  "P..  P.  Walsh;  Secretary, 
M.  A.  Kennedy.  The  i)resi(lcnl  and  treasurer  are  sons  of  the  founder  of 
the  concern.  Headquarters  are  maintained  in  Davenport,  with  branches  at 
Syracuse,  N.  Y. ;  Cleveland  and  Sydney.  Ohio;  and  Chicago.  Work  east  of 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  is  handled  through  Syracuse;  the  Cleveland  l)ranch  looks 
after  general  constructictn  in  nearby  territory,  while  Sidney  ct)vers  the  field 
farther  west.  The  Chicago  oflice  deals  with  building  construction  in  all 
parts  of  the  country. 

Tlie  Coni])anv  wdrks  on  a  dcparlnv^'nlal  ])lan,  wliicli  has  l)een  evolved 
during  a  long  experience  and  has  been  found  best  a(la[)ted  to  the  needs  of  the 
business.  The  financial,  accounting  and  insurance  dei)artment  is  under  the 
direction  of  the  president,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Pailroad  construction, 
including  grading,  concrete  and  bridge  work,  is  handled  through  the  presi- 
dent and  vice-president,  assisted  by  district  and  field  sui)erintendents  on 
each  contract.  P,ach  branch  organization,  when  ])laced  on  a  job,  is  complete  in 
itself,  carrying  its  own  accounts,  and  with  full  facilities  for  the  ])urchase  of 
sup])lies,  expediting  traflic.  handling  rei);iirs.  etc.,  re])orting  direct  to  the 
head(|uarters  office. 

In  general,  the  plan  is  (U'signed  to  gi\e  elasticity,  b'ach  di\ision,  while 
working  through  one  central  control,  is  adapted  to  ])roniote  action  by  the 
local  man  in  charge,  so  that  emergencies  may  be  cpiickly  and  efficiently  met. 

Necessarily  the  amount  of  equipment  owned  and  controlled  by  the  Walsh 
Construction  Com])any  is  large.  It  includes  standard  gauge  steam  shovels, 
revolving  shovels,  drag  lines,  standard  gauge  twelve-yard  dump  cars,  stand- 
ard gauge  50-ton  locomotives.  Jordan  air  spreaders,  camp  cars,  elevator  grade 
outfits,  teams,  locomotive  cranes,  concrete  mixers,  together  with  necessary 
derricks,  pumps,  boilers,  hoist  engines,  concrete  cars,  etc.  lujuipment  is 
grouped  in  units,  and  is  seldom  moved  except  from  one  j<jb  to  another. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  151 

Rock  Island  Plow  Company 

The  Rock  Island  Plow  Company,  one  of  the  foremost  agricultural  im- 
plement concerns  in  the  world,  maintains  and  operates  extensive  factories 
and  warehouses  in  the  city  of  Rock  Island;  branches  are  located  at  Minne- 
apolis, Minn.,  Sioux  Falls.  S.  D.,  Omaha,  Neb.,  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  Oklahoma  City,  Okla.,  Dallas  Tex.,  Denver,  Colo.,  and  Indian- 
apolis, Ind.  Its  products  are  also  handled  by  jobbers  at  various  other 
places  in  the  United  States,  and  it  is  represented  in  many  foreign  countries. 
Its  implements  are  found  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe  where  modern  agricul- 
tural methods  are  followed. 

The  business  was  started  in  1855,  in  a  small  blacksmith  shop,  by  Charles 
Buford  and  R.  N.  Tate,  under  the  firm  name  of  Buford  &  Tate.  This  was 
the  year  after  completion  of  the  Rock  Island  Railway  to  the  Mississippi 
River,  and  the  city  of  Rock  Island  thereby  assumed  a  new  importance  as  a 
gateway  to  the  great  west,  where  millions  and  millions  of  fertile  acres 
lay  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the  plow.  There  was  opening  a  vast  market 
for  agricultural  implements,  and  the  goods  produced  by  Buford  &  Tate 
found  a  ready  sale. 

The  first  walking  plows  were  made  with  patented  steel  shares  and  mold 
boards  and  were  warranted  to  scour  in  all  kinds  of  soil,  and  they  did 
scour,  thus  securing  the  approval  of  the  farmer,  an  approval  retained  to 
this  day.  Cultivators,  harrows  and  stalk-cutters  were  also  made  from  the 
beginning.  The  Black  Hawk  two-horse  four-shovel  cultivator  was  the  first 
of  its  kind,  and  this  style  of  implement  has  been  of  inestimable  benefit  in 
the  production  of  corn. 

Mr.  B.  D.  Buford  assumed  control  of  the  business  during  the  Civil  War, 
and  the  name  was  changed  from  Buford  &  Tate  to  B.  D.  Buford  &  Com- 
]iany.  In  1881,  the  factory,  then  grown  to  impressive  size,  was  destroyed  by 
fire.  Heavy  loss  was  sustained  by  the  owners,  and  it  was  necessary  to 
re-organize  the  business  in  order  to  rebuild.  The  re-organization  was 
efifected  in  1884,  by  the  incorporation  of  the  present  Rock  Island  Plow  Com- 
pany. The  late  P.  L.  Mitchell  and  his  son,  Phil  Mitchell,  were  prominent 
in  the  re-organization.  In  1907  and  1910  the  Mitchell  family  and  their 
associates  sold  the  bulk  of  their  holdings  in  the  company  to  a  group  com- 
posed of  F.  C.  Denkmann,  J.  P.  Weyerhaeuser,  W.  H.  Marshall.  T.  B.  Davi? 
and  S.  S.  Davis.  Under  the  new  control  large  additions  were  made  to  the 
capital,  the  manufacturing  and  storage  facilities  were  increased,  new  branch 
houses  were  established,  and  the  business  greatly  expanded. 

In  1911  the  "Great  Western"  line  of  cream  separators,  manure  spreaders 
and  litter  carriers  was  acquired,  and  their  manufacture  was  commenced  at 
Rock  Island;  in  1912  the  well-known  "C  B  &  Q"  line  of  hay  tools  was  taken 
over;  in  1916,  the  patents  pertaining  to  the  "Rock  Island  Heider"  tractor 


152 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R  SENA   L 


were  purchased,  the  factory  machinery  was  moved  to  Rock  Ishind.  and  soon 
after  a  large  modern  factory  of  saw  tooth  design  was  built  and  devoted  ex- 
clusively to  the  manufacture  of  tractors.  The  popularity  and  consequent 
demand  for  the  tractor  soon  forced  the  doubling  of  the  factory  in  which  it 
i\'as  made.  The  outstanding  characteristics  of  the  "Rock  Island  Heider" 
are  its  power,  durability,  reliability,  ease  in  operation,  and  the  facility  with 
which  it  can  be  changed  into  a  stationary  power  plant.  The  production  of  the 
tractor  naturally  led  to  the  manufacture  of  specially  designed  plows,  harrows 
and  other  implements  for  use  with  it.  More  recently  the  company  has 
developed  a  winch  attachment  for  the  tractor,  making  it  a  very  successful 
machine  for  pulling  rods  and  pipe  in  oil  wells;  and  it  has  begun  the  man- 
ufacture of  a  motor  cultivator  embodying  novel  and  valuable  features,  and 
also  the  manufacture  of  a  combination  power  unit,  adapted  to  plowing, 
harrowing  and  cultivating,  and  to  use  as  a  stationary  power  plant. 

The  original  small  shop  has  now  grown  into  a  plant  with  forty  acres  of 
floor  space  for  manufacturing  and  warehouse  purposes.  The  factories  are 
equipped  with  the  best  of  modern  machinery  and  contain  many  special  ma- 
chines invented  by  the  company's  employees  to  facilitate  the  economical  pro- 
duction of  goods  of  the  highest  standard.  Among  the  special  machines  may 
be  noted  the  automatic  machine  for  making  and  ruling  check  rower  wire  for 
ccrn  planters.  This  machine  never  fails  to  arrest  the  attention  of  visitors 
to  the  factory. 


HOMF.  PLANT  OF  THF  ROCK 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


153 


The  company  has  been  unusually  fortunate  in  securing  and  retaining 
the  services  of  exceptionally  skilled  workmen  and  mechanics,  who  have  taken 
pride  in  producing  goods  of  the  finest  cjuality.  Many  gifted  inventors  have 
contributed  their  ideas  to  the  improvement  of  old  and  the  creation  of  new 
implements.  The  moldboard  plow  was  for  years  considered  well-nigh  per- 
fect, yet  in  1913  an  expert  of  the  company,  by  a  new  application  of  certain 
scientific  principles,  produced  the  "CTX"  plow,  the  supreme  triumph  of  plow 
making.  The  company  was  the  first  to  produce  a  practical  hay-loader — a 
machine  which  has  relieved  the  farmer  of  much  of  the  back-breaking  labor 
of  the  hay  field  ;  it  produced  the  first  f  rameless  sulky  plow,  and  the  first 
frameless  lister — notable  improvements  in  those  tools;  it  was  the  first  to 
make  the  disc  harrow  efticient  by  adding  scrapers  to  clean  away  the  s(^il 
adhering  to  the  discs  ;  and  it  has  been  the  first  in  many  other  improvements, 
always  striving  to  produce  implements  that  would  lessen  the  toil  of  the 
farmer  and  add  to  his  prosperity. 

The  present  ofiicers  of  the  company  are: 

President — S.  S.  Davis. 

First  Vice-President — J.   P.  Weyerhaeuser. 

Second  Vice-President — T.  B.  Davis. 

Treasurer — F.  C.  Denkmann. 

Secretary — C.  E.  Sharpe. 


ISLAND  PLOW  COMPANY 


154 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  155 

Weyerhaeuser  &  Denkmann  Company 

Two  men  of  marked  capacity  for  sound,  clear  thinking,  for  hard,  per- 
sistent work,  and  for  getting  things  done  in  a  big  way  united  their  interests, 
jn  1860,  when  Frederick  Weyerhaeuser  and  F.  C.  A.  Denkmann,  brothers- 
in-law,  formed  a  partnership  at  Rock  Island  for  the  manufacture  of  lumber. 
From  a  small  beginning  this  firm  expanded  rapidly,  becoming  in  time, 
national  in  its  scope,  with  large  interests  in  many  states  and  exerting  a 
leading  force  in  the  organizing  of  both  manufacture  and  sale  of  lumber 
and  its  products. 

Mead,  Smith  &  Marsh,  operating  a  mill  at  what  is  now  Fourth  avenue 
and  First  street.  Rock  Island,  succumbed  during  a  financial  panic  in  the 
late  50's,  and  Weyerhaeuser  8z  Denkmann  bought  their  holdings  and  began 
sawing  lumber.  At  first  the  senior  partner  conducted  a  retail  yard  at  Coal 
Valley,  Mr.  Denkmann  running  the  mill.  The  original  capacity  was  but 
eight  thousand  feet  a  day,  but  it  was  doubled  the  first  year  and  greatly  in- 
creased thereafter.     The  first  band-saw  used  in  the  west  was  operated  here. 

Control  of  the  old  Porter  Skinner  mill  on  Sylvan  Slough  in  Rock 
Island  was  acquired  in  the  70's.  Out  of  this  holding  there  grew  the  present 
Rock  Island  Sash  &  Door  Works  and  the  Rock  Island  Lumber  Company. 
Late  in  the  80's  the  mill  of  Renwick,  Shaw  Sz  Crossett,  at  Davenport,  was 
bought.  It  was  operated  for  a  number  of  years,  but  burned  in  1901  and 
was  not  rebuilt.     A  retail  yard  has  since  been  conducted  on  the  site. 

For  some  time  logs  were  bought  at  the  mills  from  logging  firms,  but 
this  method  of  getting  raw  material  was  not  satisfactory,  so  standing  tim- 
ber in  Wisconsin  was  acquired,  and  from  that  time  on  the  firm  cut  and 
rafted  all  its  own  logs. 

Rafts  at  first  were  floated  down  the  river,  guided  by  oars.  About 
1874  Weyerhaeuser  &  Denkmann  bought  the  steamer,  "C.  J.  Cafifrey,"  which 
became  one  of  the  first  raft  boats  used  on  the  Mississippi  for  propelling  rafts. 

Most  of  the  timber,  of  course,  was  cut  on  the  small  branches  of  the 
river.  It  was  run  down  in  drives  to  places  where  boats  could  go.  Weyer- 
haeuser &  Denkmann  at  first  cut  white  pine  on  the  Chippewa  river,  rafts 
being  assembled  at  Beef  Slough,  Wisconsin. 

Exhaustion  of  timber  supplies  that  could  be  profitably  rafted  brought 
about,  in  a  period  of  a  few  years,  the  abandonment  of  the  many  sawmills 
along  the  Mississippi.  Weyerhaeuser  &  Denkmann  operated  their  mill  at 
Rock  Island  till  November,  1905,  when  the  last  log  was  sawed. 

The  Weyerhaeuser  &  Denkmann  Company  was  incorporated  in  1902. 
Mr.  Denkmann  died  March  2,  1905,  and  Mr.  Weyerhaeuser  in  April,  1914. 
The  business,  with  its  many  ramifications,  is  now  conducted  by  their 
descendants. 


156 


ROCK       I  S  1.  A  N  D       ARSENAL 


The  Rock  Island  Sash  &  Door  Works 

Economic  pressure  has  forced  many  changes  among  luml^er  and  lumber 
products  concerns  during  the  last  generation.  Exhaustion  of  former  sup- 
plies of  raw  material  have  made  it  necessary  to  open  new  timber  areas, 
to  change  locations  and  processes  of  manufacture  and  to  substitute  new 
varieties  of  wood  for  those  which  were  becoming  increasingly  difficult 
to  secure.  The  lumbering  business  of  today  has  survived  a  rapid  evolu- 
tion whicli  has  forced  numerous  erstwhile  competitors  to  the  wall. 

Dating  back  to  the  earliest  days  of  lumbering  on  the  Mississippi, 
the  Rock  Island  Sash  8z  Door  Works  has  successfully  met  the  vicissitudes 
of    time    and    remains    todav    one    of    the    foremost    industrial    concerns    of 


R.xk   Ulanrl  Sash  &   Door  Works.   Rock   Ulantl.    Illinois 


its  kind.  When  raw  material  in  the  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota  pineries 
became  scarce  its  owners  acquired  stumpage  elsewhere.  When  logs  could 
no  longer  be  profitably  rafted  down  from  the  north  they  found  other 
means  of  transportation.  Early  in  the  history  of  the  concern  manufacture 
and  sale  of  rough  lumber  was  subordinated  to  the  production  of  finished 
goods,  and  in  this  line  all  competition  has  been  successfully  met  from  the 
beginning.  For  many  years  the  output  has  consisted  exclusively  of  sash, 
doors  and  various  other  kinds  of  millwork,  both  plain  and  veneered.  The 
Crown  door  which  it  makes  is  standard  among  builders  all  over  the  country. 

It  was  in  the  early  50's  that  Porter  Skinner  established  what  is  now 
known  as  the  Rock  Island  Sash  &  Door  Works.  Then,  and  for  years 
afterward,  raw  material  was  brought,  in  the  form  of  logs,  rafted  down  the 
Mississippi  from  the  north.  The  millsite  was  advantageously  located  on 
the    banks   of    the    river,    with    ample    slack    water    in    which    to    hold    logs 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


157 


in  storage.  Early  in  the  60's  Mr.  Skinner  sold  a  half  interest  in  his  busi- 
ness to  others,  and  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  that  of  Gray,  Cropper 
&  Company.  In  1868  the  original  owner  disposed  of  his  remaining  in- 
terests to  Weyerhaeuser  &  Denkmann,  who  already  were  extensively  en- 
gaged in  lumbering  in  the  locality,  and  the  name  was  changed  to  Anawalt, 
Denkmann  &  Company.  Incorporation  took  place  in  1878  as  the  Rock 
Island  Lumber  &  Mfg.  Company,  and  the  name  was  changed  to  the  present 
one  in  1897.  This  last  reorganization  took  place  about  the  time  that 
timber  supplies  adjacent  to  the  headwaters  of  the  Mississippi  failed  and 
the  rafting  of  logs  became  impossible.  The  old  mills  were  abandoned,  and 
since  that  time  sawing  of  the  rough  lumber  has  been  done  mostly  at  the 
sources  of  supply  and  the  lumber  brought  to  Rock  Island  by  rail. 

Weyerhaeuser  &  Denkmann  are  among  the  largest  lumber  operators 
in  the  United  States.  In  their  hands  the  Rock  Island  Sash  &  Door  Works 
has  been  ably  conducted.  It  has  been  built  and  developed  with  a  view 
of  permanence.  Never  has  it  been  more  efficiently  managed  than  in  the 
last  fifteen  years,  during  which  it  has  reached  into  new  fields,  found  new 


Southern  Distributing   Branrh  — St.   Louis  Sash  &   Door  Works,  St.   Lo 


markets,  improved  its  products  and  its  processes.  Its  sources  of  supply 
are  adequate  for  a  long  time  and  its  goods  sell  on  their  merits  through- 
out a  wide  area.  In  the  last  dozen  years,  in  spite  of  periods  of  business 
depression,  it  has  gone  on  steadily,  without  closing  the  plant  or  materially 
reducing  the  number  of  employes. 

Like  many  another  lumbering  concern,  the  Rock  Island  Sash  &  Door 
Works  has  had  its  baptism  of  fire.  Unlike  many  others,  however,  it  rose 
from  the  ashes  and  with  a  better  plant  than  ever,  one  which  was  not  only 
built  for  permanence,  but  was  much  larger  than  the  old  one.  The  fire 
came  in  October,  1908,  under  conditions  which  all  lumbermen  dread. 
Originating  outside  the  plant  during  a  dry  season,  it  came  on  at  dead  of 
night,  fanned  by  a  high  wind.  Successful  resistance  was  impossible.  Only 
those  parts  of  the  establishment  which  were  outside  the  direct  path  of  the 


158  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

flames  escaped.      Not  even  the  proverbial   charred  embers  remained — only 
ashes  and  twisted  steel,  with  a  few  blocks  of  masonry. 

Not  disheartened  by  the  loss,  the  owners  at  once  decided  to  rebuild. 
The  new  buildings  were  constructed  mostly  of  brick  and  concrete  and 
on  a  much  larger  scale.  Every  precaution  to  protect  the  plant  against 
future  fire  losses  was  taken.  Sprinklers  were  installed  and  a  large  steel 
tower  built  to  provide  an  ample  supply  of  water  at  all  times  and  under 
all  circumstances.  Economical  handling  of  materials  during  the  process 
of  manufacture  also  was  taken  into  account,  the  new  plant  being  considered 
a  model  among  lumbermen.  Everything  is  now  under  roof,  no  lumber 
I  eing  stored  out  of  doors.  Facilities  for  receiving  raw  material  and  those 
for  shipping  finished   products  are  not   excelled   anywhere. 

The  factory  of  the  Rock  Island  Sash  &  Door  Works,  with  its  houses 
for  drying  lumber  and  storing  finished  goods  occupies  four  city  blocks 
of  land,  including  a  frontage  of  two  city  blocks  on  the  river.  The  prop- 
erty is  bisected  by  railroad  tracks  used  by  three  trans-continental  lines. 
The  location  is  central  for  the  shipment  of  raw  material,  which  is  drawn 
from  all  points  of  the  compass,  and  also  for  the  distribution  of  manufac- 
tured goods  in  an  area  unexcelled  anywhere  on  earth  in  productivity 
and  buying  power.  A  considerable  share  of  the  output  is  distributed 
through  the  St.  Louis  Sash  &  Door  Works,  a  branch  concern  efficiently 
operated  under  the  same  excellent  management  as  the  main  plant.  Four 
hundred  and  seventy-five  men  are  regularly  employed  in  Rock  Island  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty  in  St.  Louis. 

Officers  of  the  company  are: 

President — F.  C.  Denkmann. 
Vice  President — J.  P.  Weyerhaeuser. 

Vice  President,  Treasurer  and  General   Manager — -Charles   lisplin. 
Secretary  and  Assistant  Treasurer — A.  C.  Hansen. 

Directors — F.  C.  Denkmann,  J.  P.  Weyerhaeuser,  Charles  Esplin,  E. 
P    Denkmann.  F.  E.  \Veyerhaeuser,  R.  W.  Weyerhaeuser,  J.  H.  Hauberg. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  159 

From  a  One-Story  Six-Forge  Shop 

The  John  Deere  factory  in  Moline  was  built  in  1847,  on  the  site  of 
the  present  John  Deere  Plow  Works. 

It  was  a  one-story,  six-forge  shop  used  for  making  John  Deere  plows. 

For  ten  years  previously  John  Deere  had  been  a  plow  manufacturer  at 
Grand  Detour,  Illinois,  where,  in  1837,  he  had  designed  and  built  the  world's 
first  successful  steel  plow.  He  sold  out  his  interests  at  Grand  Detour  and  re- 
established his  plow-making  business  in  Moline,  in  order  to  get  the  advantages 
of  better  water  i)ower  and  better  river  transportation. 

Moline  at  that  time  was  a  thriving  little  manufacturing  village.  A  dam 
had  been  Iniilt  in  the  river,  creating  an  al)undant  supply  of  water  power. 
Clustered  on  the  shore  and  utilizing  this  water  power  were  numerous  saw 
mills,  a  large  flour  mill,  a  foundry  and  machine  shop  and  a  fanning  mill  fac- 
tory. John  Deere's  little  factory  was  the  first  implement-making  enterprise 
in  the  village. 

Numerous  hardships  were  encountered  by  the  new  industry. 

There  were  no  banks  in  the  country.  Real  money  was  a  scarce  article. 
A  great  deal  of  what  little  money  was  in  circulation  consisted  of  English, 
French  and  Spanish  coins.  Consequently,  at  the  outset,  the  factory  some- 
times had  serious  difficulty  in  securing  money  with  which  to  buy  steel  ; 
and  pay-day  for  the  employees  did  not  come  at  regular  intervals.  Plows  were 
deposited  with  the  merchants  in  Moline.  Rock  Island,  Davenport  and  Musca- 
tine, and  the  plow  factory  gave  its  employees  orders  on  those  stores  for  what 
they  needed.  Plow  merchandising  was  done  by  leaving  plows  to  be  sold  on 
commission  by  merchants  of  the  surrounding  territory.  No  money  could 
be  collected  until  the  merchants  had  sold  the  plows  and  collected  the  money 
for  them.  Sometimes  the  factory  had  several  thousand  dollars'  worth  of 
plows  in  the  hands  of  merchants,  but  not  even  a  hundred  dollars  in  the  factory 
safe.  One  of  the  most  critical  times  in  the  life  of  John  Deere  came  one  day 
in  his  first  year  at  Moline,  when  it  was  necessary  to  raise  $200  in  cash,  and 
early  investigation  indicated  that  there  was  not  that  much  money  in  town. 

There  were  no  railroads.  A  four-horse  stage  coach  was  the  main  means 
of  overland  transportation.  It  took  from  36  to  48  hours  to  go  to  Chicago  and 
much  longer  to  go  to  St.  Louis.  The  route  to  St.  Louis  was  up  the  river  road 
to  Albany,  east  to  Dixon  and  thence  down  through  the  center  of  the  state  to 
St.  Louis. 

River  transportation,  though  fairly  sure,  was  painfully  slow.  Steel  for 
the  plow  factory  was  shipped  from  Pittsburg,  dow^i  the  Ohio  to  Cairo,  Illi- 
nois, and  thence  up  the  Mississippi  to  Moline.     Plow  shipments  were  made 


160 


ROCK   ISLAND   ARSENAL 


up  and  down  the  river  to  the  more  thickly  settled  sections,  and  wagons  and 
teams  were  sent  overland  t<>  transport  the  goods  to  interior  commnnities. 

In  spite  of  many  handicaps,  howc\er,  the  John  Dccre  ])low-making 
business  expanded  steadily.  In  1832  the  out])Ul  rose  to  10,000  plows — a 
notable  figure  for  those  days,  iictter  times  came  with  tlie  rapid  settlement 
of  the  great  agricultural  section  of  America,  llie  building  of  railroads  and 
the  westward  surge  of  commerce  and  money. 

Larger  buiblings  were  erected,  the  i>ul])ui  increased,  and  John  Deere 
])l(i\\s   bt'came    known    the    world    o\er.      The}-    were    leading    instruments    in 


ANDW^HAT, 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  161 

changing  the  grass-matted  haunts  of  the  buffalo  into  fruitful  acres.  Much 
of  the  soil  of  Iowa,  Kansas,  Nebraska  and  the  Dakotas,  which  now  feeds  a 
great  part  of  the  world,  was  first  turned  with  John  Deere  plows.  They  came 
into  wide  use  among  the  "colonos"  on  the  broad  plains  of  South  America, 
among  the  Hottentots  of  South  Africa,  among  the  bushmen  of  Australia  and 
on  the  great  plains  of  Russia.  Commerce  throughout  the  world  grew  because 
of  greater  harvests  produced  through  the  use  of  John  Deere  plows. 

Today  there  are  few  farms  in  America  on  which  John  Deere  implements 
have  not  been  used.  The  little  one-story,  six-forge  John  Deere  shop  of  1847 
has  become  the  Deere  &  Company  of  today,  owning  and  operating  fourteen 
John  Deere  factories  and  thirty-two  John  Deere  branch  houses. 

The  John  Deere  Plow  AVorks,  the  direct  descendant  of  the  little  shop 
and  the  parent  factory  in  the  John  Deere  organization  of  today,  is  the  largest 
steel  plow  plant  in  the  world.  Its  floor  space  is  1,500,000  scpiare  feet,  or  35 
acres.  It  produces  450,000  complete  implements  every  normal  year,  or  three 
implements  every  minute.  It  uses  annually  50,000  tons  of  iron  and  steel, 
2,500,000  gallons  of  fuel  oil,  35,000  tons  of  coal  and  coke  and  1,000  tons  of  oil 
and  paint. 

Two  other  large  John  Deere  factories — the  Deere  &  Mansur  AV'orks  and 
the  John  Deere  AVagon  Works — are  located  in  Moline,  and  the  Marseilles 
Works,  the  John  Deere  Harvester  Works  and  the  Union  Malleable  Iron 
Company  are  located  in  East  Moline. 

Other  John  Deere  factories  are  the  Waterloo  Boy  Tractor  Works, 
Waterloo,  Iowa;  Van  Brunt  Works,  Horicon,  Wisconsin;  Dain  Works, 
Ottumwa,  Iowa;  Syracuse  Chilled  Plow  Works,  Syracuse,  New  York;  John 
Deere  Manufacturing  Co.,  Welland,  Ontario,  Canada;  Fort  Smith  Wagon 
Works,  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas;  Reliance  Buggy  Works,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and 
Moline   Lumber   Works,   Malvern,   Ark. 

John  Deere  branch  houses  engaged  in  facilitating  the  economical  distribu- 
tion of  John  Deere  implements  are  located  at  Minneapolis,  Minn;  Moline, 
Illinois;  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin;  Bloomington,  Illinois; 
Omaha,  Nebraska;  Sioux  Falls.  South  Dakota;  Kansas  City,  Missoviri ;  Okla- 
homa, City,  Oklahoma;  Denver,  Colorado;  St.  Louis.  Missouri;  New  Orleans, 
Louisiana;  Nashville,  Tennessee;  Dallas,  Texas;  Atlanta,  Georgia;  Portland, 
Oregon;  Spokane,  Washingtt)n ;  Seattle,  Washington;  Boise,  Idaho;  San 
Francisco,  California;  Indianapolis,  Indiana;  Columbus,  Ohio;  Lansing, 
Michigan;  Baltimore,  Maryland;  Syracuse,  New  York;  Winnipeg,  Manitoba; 
Saskatot)n,  Sask. ;  Regina,  Sask. ;  Calgary,  Alberta;  Lethbridge,  Alberta; 
Edmonton,  Alberta;  AVelland,  Ontario. 

An  export  department,  conducting  a  large  business  with  foreign 
countries,  is  located  at  Moline. 


162  ROCK       IS  L  A   X   L)       ARSENAL 

United  Utility  Service 

riaii>|t(nlali(m.  I'owcr.  Light.  Gas  and  Heat 

Had  it  lacked  the  aid  supplied  by  the  united  utilities  of  the  Tri-Cities 
during  the  World  \\'ar.  the  effectiveness  of  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal  would 
have  been  seriously  curtailed.  Street  railway  transportation  for  the  many 
thousands  of  Arsenal  workers,  additional  electric  power  to  meet  the  demand 
for  manufacturing  purposes,  and  gas  for  the  treatment  of  metals  were  abso- 
lutely necessary.  The  need  for  these  services  was  urgent  and  unexpected, 
yet  the  capacity  was  available  in  all  three  cases  and  was  supplied  at  low  cost. 

Official  records  show  that  the  Arsenal  and  the  Tri-Cities  shared  with 
Chicago  the  distinction  of  being  the  only  manufacturing  centers  in  the 
United  States  during  the  early  part  of  1918  where  the  lack  of  capacity  of 
the  public  utility  companies  did  not  hamper  the  industrial  expansion  re- 
quired to  meet  war  needs,  and  recognition  of  this  fact  at  Washington  had 
much  to  do  with  the  volume  of  war  orders  received  by  the  Tri-Cities. 
Should  the  country  again  be  called  upon  for  military  supplies  to  the  same 
extent  as  was  recently  necessary,  the  showing  made  by  the  local  Arsenal 
and  Tri-City  industrial  concerns  will  warrant  the  confidence  they  will 
receive. 

While  it  is  true  that  there  is  now  a  water  power  development  at  Rock 
Island  Arsenal  suflicient  for  its  ordinary  requirements,  yet  it  is  necessary, 
as  is  the  case  with  all  other  low  head  hydro-electric  developments,  that  it  be 
supplemented  by  a  steam  plant  equipped  to  assume  the  load  on  momentary 
notice,  due  to  failure  on  account  of  high  water,  low  water,  or  ice.  The 
Arsenal,  having  no  steam  power  generating  plant  of  its  own,  obtains  this 
assurance  of  a  constant  energy  supply  from  the  power  conijiany  serving 
the  Tri-Cities,  and  when  the  demand  for  power  required  for  war  activities 
exceeded  the  capacity  of  the  Arsenal  station,  the  excess  energy  necessary 
was  supplied  on  call.  Energy  was  transmitted  to  the  Arsenal  over  4,8C)0-volt 
transmission  lines  owncfl  and  maintained  l)y  the  goxernmcnt. 

The  company's  power  house  is  located  in  Moline.  directly  across  Syhan 
Water  from  the  main  Arsenal  shops,  and  adjoining  the  gtnernnient'^ 
property.  This  ])lant  is  equipped  with  steam  units  having  a  maximum 
capacity  of  61,000  horsepower,  supplemented  by  hydro-electric  energy 
I'Urchased  from  the  Moline  Water  Power  Coni])any  and  the  hydroelectric 
plant  of  T.  I),  and  S.  S.  iJavis,  on  Rock  ri\cr.  these  developments  having 
a  maximum  capacity  of  4.(XX)  and  2.500  horsepower,  resi)ectively.  At  such 
times  as  the  output  t)f  the  government  station  exceeds  the  Arsenal  require- 
ments, this  sur])lus  is  taken  over  by  the  power  company.  Approximately 
eighty  per  cent  f)f  the  annual  Tri-City  i)ower  output  is  generated  by  steam, 
the  balance  cominsf  from  the  hvdro  stations. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


163 


Industrial  expansion  in  the  Tri-Cities  prior  to  1918  had  reached  a  point 
A\diich  would  soon  require  additional  electrical  generating-  capacity,  which  led 
the  power  company,  early  in  1917,  to  order  a  25,000  horsepower  steam  turbine, 
with  the  necessary  boilers,  auxiliaries,  etc.,  this  unit  l^eing  received  and  in- 
stalled in  1918,  in  time  to  meet  the  war  demand.     When  ready  for  operation 


Gas  Works    Beoples  Itovrear  Co  MohnelE. 


TVpioal  Higpa  Tfension.  Transmissicm.  line 


Intenor  aibstationB" Peoples  ligiit  Co. dcu^nportja  Cyiew of  ftjwer tojse tohetior Showmg large Tmbo-Cer€X3tss-/t3lmeJJl 


the  new  turbine  cost  approximately  $1,250,000.  As  this  is  written,  plans  are 
under  way  for  an  additional  installation  of  32,000  horsepower,  to  cost  in  the 
neighborhood  of  $1,500,000,  which  will  increase  the  total  power  availal^le 
for  the  Tri-Cities  and  the  Arsenal  to  nearly  100,000  horsepower. 

Gas  for  the  Arsenal  is  produced  l)y  the  l^eoples  Power  Company  at 
their  gas  works  adjoining  the  electric  plant  in  Moline,  and  is  distributed 
through  high  pressure  mains  to  the  various  l)uildings  on  the  Island.  Prior 
to  the  war  the  Arsenal  used  coal  and  oil  for  manufacturing  purposes,  but  the 
convenience  and  practically  unlimited  supply  of  gas,  together  with  results 
of  research  work  which  proved  that  gas  was  in  many  ways  more  efficient 
and  economical,  led  to  the  abandonment  of  the  coal  and  oil  burners  and 
their  replacement  by  gas.  The  average  war-time  gas  consumption  of  the 
Arsenal  was  approximately   5,000.000  cul)ic   feet   per   month,    far   in   excess 


164 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


All  communicationi  must  b«  addressed  (o  "Che  Commindme  OfBiVr.  Rcxk  Inland  Arsenal.  Rock  Uland   Illinois." 

Hi:</eb 
ROCK     ISLAND     ARSENAL 

ROCK    ISLAND    ILLINOIS  Hficsrjje  r   6,    19Z2-.,  W 


B.J.   Denman,   Fres. , 
Trl-Oity  aailway  &  Lig^t 
UolUie,  lUlnola. 

Dear  Sir; 


la  aoooraance  v  i  fti  your  recent  request   for   statement  of 
the   aotlvlties  at  this  iirserel   in  oonneotlon  with  tie    late  war  of 
the  nsBOoiate  utilities  oorporatlona  uoier   your  oterge,  I  have   to 
inform  you  that  your  service  Inoluded  not   only    the  providing  of 
transportation  faolllties   for  Arsetsil  enplojeeB  but  the    furnishing 
in  large  quantities   of  power  am  gas  used  in  the  plant's  manaft.;tur- 
in^  ope  rat  ions. 

The  oooperation  which  the  Tri-Clty  Railvsiy  Oonipany  gave 
and  the   service   it  rendered  throughout   the  period  of  the  war,  when 
the   transjortiry  of  j^rseml  workmen  be  cane  a  perpler-ing  problem,  en- 
abled the   ijovernment   to  afford  to   its    iiiiustrlal  workers   facilities 
in  this  connection  which  few  comnunities   in  other  leao  congested  in- 
dustrial fields  enjoyed. 

The  emeri^enoy  incident  to   the  war  oreated,    in  aoiio   instanr's, 
demands   in  excels  of  the  iirsenal's  facilities.      This  was  particularly 
true   in  the   case  of  ir.s  and  electric  I'ower,   both  of  which  it  was  ne- 
cessary to  purchase    in  large  quantities,     iit  the   outbreak  of  the  war 
the  increased  demand  for  electric  power  nade  the  modernizing  of  the 
Arsenal  Pov,er  Plant  nooessai^,  am   during  the  period  of  reocastract- 
ing  the  ilant  the   ,  urchaso  of  pewer  to  supplement  that  which   the  Ar- 
senal generated  became  naoesaaiy.     The  porohasC)  of  said  power  from  the 
Molice-Hook  Island  liinniiiotur la?  Oompamy    (one   of  your  asaoolate  oon- 
pacies^    at  a  time  when  the  requirements  for  power  were  heaviest  en- 
abled the  orsentil  to  pursue  oontinuouEly  its  extensive  production  pro- 
tSP&m,   not  otherwise  possible  had  tnio   oontraot  not  existed. 

This  was  also   true    in  the  sas  supplied  by  the  Peoples  T^-'er 
Oonjiany,     The    increaced  mBiufacturing  operations   oauctd  o.  eoi:3UL5/tic.i 
of  twenty-five  million  cubic  feet  of   gi,a  during  the   fiscal  year   laia 
which  the    latter  oorgjany   fumlahecl,  without  inter.. upt ion. 

Bespootfully, 


^ 


DJJ.   King 
jolonel,Ord.Dept. .U.S.A. 
Oontnand  ing* 


f)f  the  unniial  rc(|iiirenR'iits.  Tn  sii])i>ly  this  and  hIIrt  rapidly  iiuTcasiii!^' 
local  demands,  llie  Cdinpaiiv  iiislalle(l  addilimial  jii'i '(hu-inj;  and  dislrihuting" 
e(|uipnieiit  at  an  e.\])en(liture  i<\  nmre  than  $3UU.UUU. 

Street  railway  service  to  and  from  the  Arsenal  is  fnrnished  by  the 
Tri-City  Railway  Company  of  Iowa  and  the  Tri-City  Kaihvay  Comi)any 
of  Illinois.      With   a   line  throui^h  the  heart   of   the    Uland.  c(  mnectini'-  with 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


165 


WM.  BUTTERWORTH. 


.VAN  DERVOORT. 


W    A    ROSENFrFLD.  vicePms      JOS.  W.  BETTENDORF. 


CHAS.  E.WHITE 


TRI-CITY  MANUFACTURERS'  ASSOCIATION 

SKINNER  ANNEX 


H.  A.  JANSEN 


JOSEPH  L  HECHT 


MoLiNE.  Illinois. 

December   7.    1922. 


Ur.   B.    J.    Denman,    President, 
Tri-City  Railway  &  Light   Compajiy, 
Davenport,    Iowa. 


In. recently  reviewing   the   v,-&r   activitlee   of   the 
manufacturers  of  the   Tri-Cities,    the   record  of  your   company 
duriug   that  period  was  brought   forcibly   to  my   attention. 

About   twenty-eight  of   our  largest   factories  had   direct 
contracts   with   the   government   for    the  manufacture   of   war    supplies, 
and  other   local    companies   were    also  manufacturing  munitions   and 
other   war    supplies.      The   requirements   of   these    companies    for   gas, 
electricity   and   transportation   service   were    so    great   as    to    cause 
government   officials    to    question   whether    the    service   available 
would  be    sufficient    for    the    needs    of    these  manufacturers,    especially 
when    they   liad    In  mind    the    tremendous    increased   demand   for    service 
made   on   your   company   by   the   Arsenal    and   also    that   production  had 
broken   down    in  many  places    in   the   East   through   lack   of    sufficient 
supply   of   gas,    electric   and   street   railway    service. 

l{r.    Charles   3.    Stewart,    Chief   of   the   Power   Section   at 
Washington,     testified   before    the   Committee   on    Interstate   and  Foreign 
Commerce    of   the   House   of  Representatives   that    there   was   a   satisfac- 
tory   surplus   of   pov/er,    gas   and    street   railv;ay    service    in    the   Tri- 
City  District,    which,    with    the    exception    of   CJiicago,    was    the   only 
district    in   the   country  where    it  was   reconL-nended   that  additional 
orders   for  war   supplies  be   placed.      This,    of   course,    meant   a  great 
deal    to   our   community   and   our  manufacturing   interests   especially. 

That  your   company  was    in  a  position   to  meet   so   completely 
these   large   demands   for   gas,    electricity   and   transportation   service 
is   cause    for   public    thanks.      That   you   were   able    to    so   well    and    so 
rapidly    incren.se   your   facilities   as    they   were    still    further   demanded 
and   that  you   failed    in   no    respect    to    render    satisfactory    service    is 
cause    for   additional    commendation.      The   value   of    such   a   company   as 
yours    to    the   community   cannot   be   overestimated.      The   record   of  your 
company   during   the  war   gives   all   possible   assurance   of    the   ability 
to   furnish  any   future   needs   of    these   communities,    no   matter  how  great. 


Very   truly  youjg 


HAJ/B . 


y-ireasirrer. 


a  double  track  system  at  tlie  west  end  of  the  Island  and  on  Forty-second 
Street,  Rock  Island,  it  is  in  position  to  handle  an  almost  unlimited  number 
of  workers,  as  was  demonstrated  during  1917,  1918  and  1919,  when  respective 
yearly  totals  of  1,731,557,  3,231,471  and  2,126,144  passengers  were  carried  to 
and  from  the  Arsenal.  A  maximum  number  of  50  cars  w^as  required  to 
transport  this   huge  and  unprecedented  traffic.     The  pre-war  needs  of   the 


166  ROCK       1   S  L   A   X   1)       ARSENAL 

Arsenal  had  been  met  with  five  cars,  and  the  additional  trafific  necessitated 
the  purchase  of  forty-five  additional  cars  for  this  service  alone.  In  addition 
to  the  expenditure  for  these  cars.  2.M  miles  of  track  were  laid  on  the  Island, 
bringing  the  total  Island  track  mileage  to  4.62. 

The  public  utility  companies  referred  to  in  the  ft)regoing  as  serving  the 
Rock  Island  Arsenal  so  ably  in  time  of  need  are  owned  and  operated  by  the 
Tri-City  Railway  &  Light  Company,  a  holding  company  organized  in  1906 
with  a  ca])ital  of  $30,000,000,  the  operating  headquarters  of  which  are  located 
at  Davenport.  This  was  a  consolidatit)n  of  the  utilities  of  the  Tri-Cities. 
which  had  heretofore  been  operating  independently.  The  present  officers 
and  directors  of  the  Tri-City  Railway  iS:  Light  Company  are  as  follows: 

President — R.  J.  Denman,  Davenport. 
Vice-President — Richard  Schaddelee.  Grand  Rapids. 
\'ice-President — H.  R.  Tobey,  New  York  City. 
\'ice-President  and  Treasurer — F.  T.  Hulswit.  (Irand  Rapids. 
\'ice-President,  Ass't  Sec'y  and  Ass't  Treasurer — H.  E.  Weeks,  Daven- 
port. 

Secretary — H.   E.  Littig,  Davenport. 

Assistant  Secretary — L.  H.   Heinke.  Grand  Rapids. 

Directors — Ofiicers  and  William  P>utterworth.  Moline;  G.  M.  Averill, 
Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa;  Joe  R.  Lane,  Davenport;  C.  N.  Chubb,  Davenport; 
R.  B.  MacDonald,  Moline;  J.  G.  Huntoon.  Rock  Island;  \\'m.  Chamberlain, 
Cedar  Rapids. 

The  operating  companies  serving  the  Tri-Cities  are  as  follows: 

Tri-City  Railway  Company  of  Illinois — Street  railway  service  in  Rock 
Island,  Moline.  East  Moline,  Silvis  and  contiguous  territory;  T.  C.  Roderick, 
Rock  Island,  \'ice-President  and  General   Manager. 

Tri-City  Railway  Company  of  Iowa — Street  railway  service  in  Daven- 
port, Bettendorf  and  Rockingham,  Iowa;  R.  J.  Smith,  Davenport,  \'ice- 
President  and  General  Manager. 

Peoples  Light  Company — Serves  Daveni)ort.  Rockingham  and  Betten- 
dorf, Iowa,  with  gas  and  electricity  ;  steam  heating  plant  serving  downtown 
section  of  Davenport ;  C.  N.  Chubb,  Davenport,  \'ice-President  and  General 
Manager. 

Peoples  Power  Company — Serves  Rock  Island,  Moline,  East  Moline  and 
Silvis  with  gas  and  electricity,  in  addition  to  wholesaling  energy  to  a  number 
of  small  towns  in  the  immediate  neighborhood;  R.  B.  MacDonald.  Moline. 
\'ice-President  and  General  Manager. 

Clinton.  Davenport  (S:  Muscatine  Railway  Company — Electric  inter- 
urban  connecting  the  three  towns  forming  its  name.  Clark  G.  Anderson, 
Davenport.  General  Manager, 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  167 

According  to  the  1920  census  the  total  population  of  the  territory  served 
by  the  foregoing  companies  was  137,000.  Electric  customers  total  30,368 
and  gas  customers  28,791,  these  patrons  being  supplied  with  electricity  over 
1,859.3  miles  of  wire  line  and  wnth  gas  through  445.33  miles  of  gas  main 
(reduced  to  three-inch  equivalent).  Transportation  lines  in  operation  in- 
clude 104.16  miles  of.  single  track  equivalent  street  railway  and  64.56  miles 
of  interurban  track. 

The  annual  coal  consumption  of  the  Tri-City  utilities  is  approximately 
125,000  tons,  or  2,500  carloads;  which,  if  placed  end  to  end,  would  form  a 
train  30  miles  long.  Gas  manufacture  requires  600  cars  of  coke  and  550  cars 
of  oil  each  twelve  months.  The  working  forces  of  the  various  operating 
companies  total  about  1,200  men  and  women. 

The  amount  expended  by  the  operating  companies  for  improvements, 
betterments  and  extensions  in  the  ten-year  period  from  1912  to  1922  ag- 
gregated $7,975,436.  This  large  amount  of  capital  required  to  take  care  of 
utility  expansion  in  the  Tri-Cities  has  been  furnished  by  the  United  Light 
cSc  Railways  Company  since  1912,  when  it  acquired  the  Tri-City  Railway  & 
Light  Company.  In  the  last  two  years  capital  to  finance  local  requirements 
has  been  provided  to  a  constantly  increasing  extent  through  customer  owner- 
ship of  United  Light  securities,  which  have  been  sold  almost  exclusively  to 
utility  patrons  by  company  employes,  the  company's  prior  preferred  stock 
now  being  sold  to  Tri-City  residents  at  a  rate  in  excess  of  $700,000  per  year. 
Company  and  consumers  have  thus  become  partners  in  the  upbuilding  of 
their  community,  and  the  confidence  engendered  by  a  better  understanding 
of  the  mutuality  of  interests  is  evidenced  by  the  spirit  of  wholehearted 
co-operation  and  general  good  will  now  prevailing. 

The  Tri-City  Railway  &  Light  Company  has  always  pursued  a  pro- 
gressive policy,  its  aim  being  to  anticipate  public  needs  and  thus  encourage 
the  growth  of  the  cities  it  serves.  In  its  endeavor  to  maintain  the  closest 
possible  relations  with  the  public  by  keeping  them  informed  of  the  practical 
problems  involved  in  the  operation  of  its  properties  the  company  feels  that 
it  has  succeeded  to  an  unusual  degree. 

The  utility  companies  of  the  Tri-Cities,  prior  to  their  consolidation 
in  1906,  were  developed  for  the  most  part  by  home  capital.  The  story  of 
their  progress  forms  an  interesting  chapter  of  local  history,  and  the  ag- 
gressive enterprise  of  the  three  communities  can  be  shown  in  no  better 
way  than  by  the  steady  improvement  in  utility  service. 

Eor  the  beginning  of  the  history  of  Tri-City  utilities  we  must  go  back 
to  1843,  when  what  was  known  as  the  Sears  dam  was  constructed  to  develop 
water  power  at  Moline.  Because  of  the  crude  methods  of  distribution  pre- 
vailing at  that  time,  the  use  of  energy  generated  there  was  limited  to  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  plant,  resulting  in  the  erection  of  several  small 
factory  buildings   at   each   end   of   the   dam,   which    formed   the   nucleus   of 


168 


ROCK       I   S   L  A   \   13       A    R   S    !•:    X   A   L 


Moline's  later  industrial  cleveU)pnicnt.  When  more  qfticient  electrical 
transmission  became  available  some  forty  years  later  tlie  water  output  was 
taken  over  by  the  Peoples  Light  t^  Fuel  Com])any  (predecessor  to  the 
present  Peoples  Power  Company)  for  general  (listril)ution  tlirougliout  the 
community. 

(las  i)lants  were  established  alx'Ul  the  lime  the  three  cities  were  emerg- 
ing from  the  village  state,  the  Rock  Island  ( ias.  Light  »S:  Idke  conijjan}-  first 


Gas  WoHts-i^pjiits  Li-, 


furnishing  service  in  1855,  and  the  Davenport  (las  Light  t.^  Coke  Company 
three  years  later.  The  first  alternating  current  generator  in  what  was  then 
termed  the  west  was  installed  in  Rock  Island  in  tlie  early  80's.  ( )ne  of  the 
first,  if  not  actually  the  first,  electric  street  car  successfully  o])erated  in 
the  United  States  was  run  on  the  Urady  Street  line  in  Davenport,  in  August, 
1888.  The  first  electric  street  car  was  operated  on  Arsenal  Island  for  ex- 
clusive Arsenal  serxice  December  28.  1899. 

Since  the  ])urchase  of  all  local  utilities  by  the  Tri-City  Railway  ^c  Light 
Company  in  1906,  the  economies  and  efficiencies  resulting  from  unified 
operation  have  evidenced  themselves  in  a  higher  degree  of  service  at  a  lower 
cost  to  the  consumer  than  is  enjoyed  in  other  cities  of  similar  size  and 
wealth  throughout  the  country. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


169 


The  R&V  Motor  Company 

Second  only  in  importance  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal  in  the  Tri-City  field 
in  the  actual  production  of  war  munitions,  the  R.  &  V.  plant  in  East  Moline 
rendered  valuable  service  to  the  United  States  and  its  allies  during  the 
world  conflict.  Ammunition  and  ordnance  were  manufactured  in  quantity,  a 
great  shop  being  built  especially  for  this 
work,  and  large  numbers  of  tools  were 
supplied  to  other  private  concerns  engaged 
in  filling  War  Department  orders.  The 
contribution  of  this  industry  toward  the 
cause  of  the  allied  governments  may  be 
summarized  as  follows: 

Shells,  8-inch  high  exj)l()sive  and  8-inch 
gas,  to  the  number  of  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands. deli\ered  to  the  British  and  the 
United  States  governments ;  hundreds  of 
guns,  of  4-inch  and  one-pound  size,  and 
large  numbers  of  mounts,  sights  and  gun 
stands  for  3-inch  and  six-pounder  guns. 

I-arge  numbers  of  specially  designed 
machine  tools  for  manufacture  of  ammu- 
nition was  furnished  to  the  British  govern- 
ment and  Canadian  and  American  contrac- 
tors. 

Great  numl)ers  of  motors  manufactured 
for  use  in  tractors. 

luilistment  and  induction  into  the  mili- 
tary service  of  460  employes  of  various 
degrees  of  mechanical  and  technical   skill. 


W.  H.  VAN  DERVOORT, 
for  many  years  head  of  the  great  R  &V  business  in 
East  Moiine,  which  was  named  with  the  initials  of  him- 
self and  his  associate,  Mr.  O.  J.  Root.  Mr.  Van  Der- 
voort's  death  in  1921  was  in  a  large  measure  the  result 
of  overwork  during  the  war,  when  he  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  National  War  Labor  Board  and  the  Muni- 
tions Standard  Board,  in  addition  to  directing  the  R&V 
production  of  ammunitions  and  ordnance.  He  was  in- 
Liberty     bond     subscriptions     amounting         temationally  known   as   an    engineer    and    automobile 


manufacturer. 


to  $1,077,060,  exclusive  of  first  loan. 

War  saving  stamps  purchases  of  more  than  $18,000. 

Services  of  W.  H.  \"anDervoort,  president,  as  member  of  Munitions 
Standard  Board  and  the  National  AVar  Labor  Board. 

Some  of  the  things  it  was  necessary  to  do  in  order  to  manufacture 
munitions  on  the  scale  indicated  were: 

Construct  the  buildings  used  for  the  shell  shop. 

Equip  the  shell  plant  with  specially  designed  machinery,  produced 
chiefly  in  the  engineering  company's  own  plant. 

Organize  a  force  capable  of  producing  hundreds  of  8-inch  shells  dail}^ 

Replace  one  of  the  important  buildings,  the  heat  treating  plant,  which 
was  destroyed  by  fire. 

Organize  a  great  corporation  to  handle  the  ordnance  ct»ntracts  in  con- 
junction with  the  Wagner  Electric  Manufacturing  Company  of  St.  Louis. 


170  ROCK       ISLAND      ARSE  X  A  L 

Build  an  ordnance  plant  with  130.000  feet  of  floor  space  and  equip  it 
with  more  than  400  specially  designed  machine  tools. 

Replace  hundreds  of  workers  who  entered  the  service,  and  in  addition 
recruit  new  help  for  the  added  departments  till  the  total  number  of  em- 
ployes approached  3.000. 

In  order  to  keep  the  shops  working  to  full  capacity  night  and  day, 
which  was  the  rule  during  the  war,  women  workers  were  introduced,  the 
maximum  number  employed  being  500. 

The  help  problem  brought  with  it  the  one  of  housing  workers  in  the 
near  vicinity.  The  company  tinanced  the  building  of  two  hotels  that  were 
conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the  V.  M.  C.  A.;  and  mainly  because  of  its 
needs.  East  Moline  was  included  in  the  cities  where  government  house 
building  projects  were  approved,  the  number  of  dwellings  constructed  there 
being  111. 

The  R&\'  plants,  operating  now  under  the  name  of  the  R&\'  Motor 
Company,  always  have  been  leaders  in  the  industrial  tield.  In  the  early  days 
when  the  manufacture  of  stationary  and  portable  farm  engines  was  its 
principal  business,  the  Root  &  \'anDervoort  Engineering  company  became  a 
major  factor  in  that  industry.  It  contributed  materially  to  the  development 
of  internal  combustion  gasoline  engines,  and  sold  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
them  for  use  in  all  agricultural  countries  of  the  world.  In  1904.  when  it 
took  up  automobile  manufacturing,  it  quickly  won  like  recognition,  its 
products  being  repeatedly  winners  in  economy  and  reliability  runs.  When, 
in  1913.  it  adopted  the  Knight  engine  as  its  automobile  power  equipment,  it 
developed  an  engine  that  broke  all  world's  records  in  an  endurance  test  and 
established  marks  still  imbeaten  and  unchallenged.  In  the  bus  motor  field, 
where  the  power  equipment  requirements  are  most  severe,  it  won  immediate 
recognition. 

When  the  United  States  entered  the  ^^^orld  \\'ar  it  found  the  R&\'  com- 
pany with  a  plant  and  equipment  ready  for  immediate  service,  and  this  fact 
gave  the  company  a  great  advantage  in  securing  contracts  as  well  as  in  sup- 
plying tools  and  patterns  to  other  concerns.  Long  before  this  country  became 
involved,  the  British  government  had  turned  to  the  United  States  for  muni- 
tions, and  the  R&\'  company  was  one  of  the  private  manufacturers  which 
undertook  the  work  on  a  large  scale.  It  made  high  explosive  and  gas  shell, 
supplying  Great  Britain  with  great  quantities  of  them.  On  the  completion 
of  its  contracts,  the  R&\'  management,  convinced  that  ultimately  it  would 
be  called  upon  again  by  either  the  United  States  or  Great  Britain  for  further 
supplies  of  ammunition,  sealed  its  shell  shops  and  kept  intact  its  equipment. 
L^p  to  this  time,  in  addition  to  executing  its  contracts  for  shell,  it  had  de- 
signed new  machinery  which  greatly  increased  manufacturing  efficiency 
in  the  making  of  shell,  and  had.  at  the  suggestion  of  the  British  government, 
sold  large  numbers  of  shell  lathes  to  other  manufacturers. 

Thus  it  happened  that  when  Uncle  Sam  entered  the  struggle  he  found 
the  R&\'  plants  ready  to  produce  on  very  short  notice,  and  so  they  became 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


171 


172 


ROCK       I   S   L  A   X  D       A  R  S    1-:   N  A  L 


the  most  important  atixiliary  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal  in  munition  production 
to  be  found  in  this  community.  Troops  were  at  once  placed  on  guard  to 
protect  the  company's  facilities  for  the  making  of  shell  and  ordnance,  and  in 
a  short  time  the  plant  was  again  engaged  in  war  production.  At  first,  at- 
tention was  devoted  mainly  to  machining  the  S-inch  gas  shell.  Then  came 
a  proposition  to  undertake  the  production  of  naval  ordnance.  To  provide 
adequate  facilities  for  this,  a  great  new  building  was  constructed.  It  was 
706  feet  long  and  165  feet  wide.  Thus  equipped,  the  RtK:\'  company  for 
many  months  produced  three-fourths  of  the  4-inch  guns  supplied  by  private 
manufacturers  for  the  United  States  Navy.  ( )ne  contract  completed,  others 
were  awarded,  and  sights  and  mounts  for  3-inch  rifles  and  1-poimd  guns 
for  submarine  chasers  were  added  to  the  4-incli  guns  which  the  comjiany 
originally  undertook  to  prodtice. 

How  well  the  R&\'  organization  served  the  United  States  and  its  allies 
may  be  judged  from  the  fact  that  of  all  the  shell  machined.  227.000  in 
number,  only  159  were  rejected  by  government  inspectors;  and  of  the  1,165 
guns  built,  not  a  single  one  failecl  to  pass  the  very  exacting  tests  to  which  they 
were  subjected,  and  every  one  was  accepted  by  the  navy. 

Farm  and  tractor  engine  production,  being  considered  necessary  in  the 
campaign  for  more  foodstufts.  was  continued  during  the  war.  and  at  the 
close  of  the  conflict  the  company  turned  again  to  this  field,  as  well  as  resum- 
ing the  building  of  automobiles,  which  had  almost  ceased.  In  pursuance  of 
its  policy  of  constantly  advancing  its  standards,  it  shortly  brought  out  a 
six-cylinder   Knight   nint.ir.  a  type  not  then  being  i)r()(luced   by  any  other 


PLANT  OF  THE  R&V  MOTOR  COMP.ANV  — This  fine  building  was  originally  built  to  hamllr  the  production 

R&\    Knight  automobile.      It  is  one  of  the  best  arrange<l  and 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


173 


manufacturer  in  this  country.  It  also  put  on  the  market  a  new  four-cylinder 
model,  a  great  step  forward  in  this  class,  in  which  it  had  been  a  leader  for 
a  numl^er  of  years. 

Not  only  did  the  R&V  institution  successfully  weather  the  acute  in- 
dustrial depression  which  followed  the  war.  but  it  made  real  progress. 
It  liquidated  its  heavy  inventories  and  ad\anced  its  position  in  the  industry, 
passing  more  than  thirty  important  companies  which  previously  had  ex- 
ceeded it  in  volume  of  sales.  It  was  one  of  only  four  companies  which  in 
1921  sold  a  greater  number  of  cars  than  in  1920,  and  the  only  one  to  double 
in  1921   its   1919  aggregate  sales. 

Not  content  with  these  achievements,  the  company  set  about  the  task 
of  developing  an  engine  that,  in  performance,  should  mark  a  new  era  in 
the  six-cylinder  automol)ile  field  in  this  country.  This  motor,  placed  in  a 
new  and  greatly  improved  car,  is  to  be  put  on  the  market  in  1923.  Ex- 
haustive preliminary  tests  proved  that  it  would  meet  every  expectation, 
with  a  \(jlume  and  flexibility  of  power  and  smoothness  of  operation  that 
previously  had  been  the  unrealized  dream  of  every  automotive  engineer. 

The  Root  &  A  anDervoort  Engineering  Company  grew  from  a  one-room 
upstairs  specialty  shop  in  1897.  It  progressed  only  because  of  the  capacity 
of  those  who  have  directed  its  affairs  and  their  superior  al)ility  in  engineer- 
ing development.  Its  war  service  is  attested  by  the  volume  of  business  it 
did  with  the  United  States  government  and  its  allies.  The  highest  achieve- 
ment of  the  R&\^  industry  is  its  Knight-Six  motor  and  car. 


iiiniHiimi!!"!^,,,,,,, 


mmmmmmmnmm^ 


of  naval  ordnance.       After  the  war  it  was  converted   into  an   automobile  factory   for  the    manufacture    of   the 
most  perfectly  lighteil  manufacturing  plants  in  the  middle  west. 


174 


ROCK       I   S   L  A   X  D       ARSE   X   A   L 


The  Federal  System  of  Bakeries 

Abuin  SIX  \car>  ai;'>  a  man  stood  in  front  of  a  bakeshop  looking  at 
some  tempting  rolls  and  cakes  disi)layed  on  a  dirty  shelf  in  a  dingy,  unkempt 
bakery.  As  he  stood  there  thinking  of  the  conditions  under  which  these 
delicious-looking  cakes  and  rolls  were  probably  made,  there  came  to  his 
mind  the  picture  of  a  spotlessly  clean,  well  lighted  bakery,  with  the  baked 


J.  Re.-,!  Lane,  PresidenI 


products  made  in  a  rotary  oven  "right  before  your  eyes."  That  man  was 
Milton  Feder.  With  this  idea  in  mind,  he  secured  a  patent  on  a  revolving 
oven  and  organizecj  the  "Chatterton  System  of  Bakeries." 

The  first  bakery  of  this  system  was  opened  in  Oakland.  California,  and 
proved  a  big  success.  People  flocked  to  the  store,  attracted  by  the  novelty  of 
seeing  the  brown,  crispy  loaves  baked  right  before  their  eyes.  Several  more 
shops  were  ojjened  in  California,  and  then  it  was  decided  to  make  them  a 
national  institution.  In  1918  the  company  was  reorganized  under  its  present 
name,  F"ederal  System  of  Bakeries  of  America,  with  headquarters  in  Chicag.>. 
to  standardize  and  su])er\  ise  these  bakeries.  A  few  niontlis  later  the  offices 
were  moved  to  Xew  \'ork. 

In  the  fall  of  191S  two  Federal  stores  were  opened  in  Davenport  by 
\V.  C.  Swigart  and  W'm.  R.  Doran.  which  were  later  purchased  by  L.  J.  Yaggc 
and  A  J.  Faerber.     'JMiese  stores  proved  immediate  successes. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


175 


About  this  time  J.  Reed  Lane,  of  Davenport,  became  interested  in  the 
novel  methods  employed  by  this  company  and  the  apparent  favor  with  which 
they  were  meeting-.  He  acquired  interests  in  the  company  and  was  elected 
Treasurer.  Other  Davenport  men  followed  his  lead,  and  in  January,  1920, 
the  city  of  Davenport  became  the  home  ofiice  of  the  company.  Mr.  Lane 
was  elected  President  and  Wm.  L.  Mueller,  Joe  R.  Lane,  Maurice  Hemsing, 


A.  J.  Faerber,  Charles  Shuler,  G.  Watson  French,  Ed.  C.  Mueller,  Milton 
Feder,  T.  J.  Walsh  and  J.  W.  Bettendorf,  directors.  The  central  location 
of  the  home  office  offered  many  advantages.  It  not  only  enabled  the  officers 
of  the  company  to  keep  in  closer  touch  with  the  stores  in  all  sections  of  the 
country,  but  placed  them  in  direct  contact  with  the  wheat-producing-  and 
milling  centers  of  the  country. 


In  the  fall  of  1919  a  Federal  School  was  established  in  the  old  St.  Luke's 
Hospital,   at   8th   and    Main    streets,    Davenport.      Here   men   were   given   a 


176  ROCK       1  S   L  A  X  D       A  R  S   E  N  A  L 

thorough  course  in  technical  and  practical  hakin^-  and  merchandising  which 
fitted  them  not  only  to  operate  Federal  stores  under  sanitary  and  modern 
methods,  but  how  to  make  good  bread. 

Federal  bakeries  are  installed  under  a  license  system  with  a  royalty 
clause  attached.  In  return  for  this  royalty,  the  licensees  are  given  service 
under  the  supervision  uf  twelve  departments.  Sales.  Equipment.  Purchasing. 
Stores  and  Traffic.  Operating.  Sales  Promotion  and  Advertising,  Auditing. 
Installation.  Insurance.  Chemistry  and  Research,  Mail  and  Record.  Legal 
and  Executive.  Each  department  is  t)rganized  to  give  pmrnpt  service  under 
the  direction  of  an  expert  in  his  line  of  work.  All  advertising  is 
done  on  a  national  scale  and  is  handled  direct  by  the  home  office.  Similar 
suggestions  ancl  methods  of  advertising  are  thus  distril)uted  to  every  Federal 
Bakery.  A  monthly  magazine,  "The  Sunlight  Magazine."  keeps  all  managers 
and  employees  familiar  with  general  conditions  and  methods  of  improve- 
ment of  their  stores. 

"Quality  and  Service"  is  the  watchword  of  Federal  Bakeries.  Standard 
formulas  used  in  all  stores  call  for  the  best  ingredients,  substitutes  being 
absolutely  prohibited.  ( )nly  the  best  of  Hour  is  used,  which  is  tested  before 
use  in  the  company's  laboratories  at  the  Federal  School.  Not  only  are  the 
raw  materials  analyzed  under  the  direction  of  one  of  the  leading  chemists 
of  the  country.  Dr.  J.  Sluyter.  but  a  sample  loaf  of  bread  is  forwarded 
monthly  from  each  store  to  the  laboratories  to  be  tested  for  quality.  Each 
loaf  must  receixe  a  rating  of  over  95  per  cent  before  the  store  can  be  awarded 
a  certificate  of  Federal  quality.  From  Maine  to  California  and  from  Torontci, 
Canada,  to  Tampico.  Mexico,  the  patrons  of  Federal  bakeries  are  assured  of 
a  uniform  quality  of  baked  goods  of  the  highest  type  obtainable. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  Federal  System  of  Bakeries  of 
America.  Inc..  dominates  the  baking  field,  setting  its  standards  for  quality 
and  service.  In  1921  the  estimated  total  business  done  by  Federal  bakeries 
amounted  to  $20,000,000.  The  loaves  of  bread  baked  daily,  if  placed  end  to 
end,  would  cover  a  distance  of  seventy-five  miles.  "The  proof  of  the  pudding 
is  in  the  eating" — and  the  Federal  System  of  Bakeries  has  established  over 
400  bakeries  in  some  three  hundred  towns  in  a  period  of  five  years  and  is 
steadily  developing  new  territory  until  its  slogan  "Bringing  Home  the 
Bakin' "  is  a  household  expression  in  every  home  throughout  the  United 
States. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


177 


The  Bettendorf  Company 


We  often  marvel  at  the  rapid  mechanical  advancement  of  this  age. 
To  refer  to  it  is  to  deal  in  the  trite  and  common-place.  And  yet  it  has  been 
achieved  in  the  face  of  many  handicaps,  not  the  least  of  which  is  nature's 
failure  to  implant  in  the  average  in- 
dividual of  in\'enti\e  turn  enough 
of  the  practical  to  enable  him  to  util- 
ize to  l)est  ad\antage  the  product 
of  his  genius. 

This  defect  in  man's  make-ujj 
has  been  responsible  for  a  prodigious 
waste  of  capital  and  time  in  connec- 
tion with  really  workable  ideas  that 
never  got  beyond  the  formative 
stage,  and  has  deprived  the  race  of 
the  earlier  use  of  an  untold  number 
of  devices  that  would  have  lightened 
toil,  increased  production  and  made 
life  generally  more  worth  the  living. 

The  ]jatent  office  at  Washington 
is  a  morgue  for  the  dead  hopes  of 
inventors  who  did  not  realize  till  too 
late  that  it  requires  the  application  of 
business  principles  to  successfully 
make  and  sell  even  the  most  perfect 
and  useful  inventions.  In  all  too 
many  cases  those  who  have  lived 
to  see  the  products  of  their  genius 
in  general  use  have  Ijeen  deprived  of 
their  just  rewards  by  reason  of  their  inability  to  grapple  as  successfully  with 
the  practical  as  with  the  theoretical  end  of  their  enterprise,  others  reaping 
the  harvest  that  rightfully  was  theirs. 

The  late  \\\  P.  Bettendorf  was  one  of  the  conspicuous  exceptions  found 
in  the  modern  industrial  field  to  the  rule  laid  down  in  the  foregoing.  Not 
only  was  he  possessed  of  rare  mechanical  ingenuity,  but  he  was  resourceful 
to  a  marked  degree  in  applying  his  ideas,  and  highly  successful  in  organizing, 
manufacturing  and  selling,  and  in  financing  his  undertakings.  Further  than 
that,  he  was  fortunate  in  having  a  brother,  J.  W.  Bettendorf,  who,  when 
the  former  was  called  from  earth  at  the  very  height  of  his  activities,  was 
able  to  carry  on  and  bring  the  industry  to  the  place  of  leadership  in  its 
field  which  it  now  occupies.  The  capabilities  of  J.  W.  Bettendorf  are  no  less 
marked  than  those  of  the  founder  of  the  concern,  and  under  his  administra- 
tion the  company  has  greatly  expanded,  becoming  by  far  the  largest  single 


W.  p.  Bettendorf,  Founder  of  the  Company 


178 


ROCK       ISLAND       .\  R  S   E   N  A  L 


industry  in  the  Tri-City  community.  Its  shop  buildings  cover  24  acres  of 
ground  and  its  annual  business  runs  well  into  the  millions.  It  is  one  of 
the  i)rincipal  manufacturers  of  railway  equipment  in  the  country,  specializing 

in  steel  freight  cars.  Over  one  and 
Due-half  million  Bettendorf  truck 
side  frames  are  now  in  use. 

The  foundation  of  the  great 
Bettendorf  industry  was  a  practical 
idea.  and.  strangely  encnigh.  it  had 
nothing  to  do  with  railroad  equip- 
ment. It  brought  into  existence  a 
new  tvpe  of  metal  wheel  and  the  ma- 
cliinery  for  making  it.  both  being  the 
product  of  the  genius  of  W.  P.  Bet- 
tendorf. 

In  1886.  Mr.  Bettendorf,  then  a 
young  man.  brought  his  ideas  and 
the  letters  patent  protecting  them  to 
Davenport,  near  three  great  agricul- 
tural implement  factories,  and  set 
about  forming  a  company  to  begin 
production.  Here  his  efforts  were 
as  successful  as  they  had  been  in 
dealing  with  the  mechanical  end  of 
the  undertaking.  In  a  short  time  the 
first  shops  were  in  operation.  The 
tvpe  of  wheel  made,  it  may  be  added. 
J.  w.  Bettendorf.  President  ^^.^g  soou  rccoguized  as  idcal  for  use 

on  agricultural  implements  and  the  concern  which  Mr.  Bettendorf  founded 
remains  today  the  largest  exclusive  makers  of  metal  wheels  in  the  world. 

As  soon  as  his  first  venture  was  well  on  its  way  toward  success  Mr. 
Bettendorf  set  about  looking  for  new  problems  to  solve.  His  active  mind 
shortly  developed  a  steel  gear  for  farm  wagons.  Closing  out  his  interests 
in  the  metal  wheel  concern,  he  formed  another  company  to  manufacture 
farm  wagons.  This  also  prospered  greatly  and  soon  assumed  large  propor- 
tions. Then,  gradually,  he  turned  to  the  making  of  railroad  equipment,  in 
which  steel  was  being  used  in  rapidly  increasing  quantities.  First,  the 
I-beam  car  bolster  was  invented,  and  later  the  one-piece  cast  steel  truck 
frame  and  other  steel  parts  for  freight  cars  were  perfected.  Finding  a 
ready  demand  for  these  lines,  the  company  decided  to  turn  its  entire  atten- 
tion to  their  production,  looking  forward,  even  then,  to  the  making  of 
complete  cars.     Its  growth  from  that  time  on  was  phenomenal. 

Earlv  in  the  manufacturing  career  of  \V.  P.  Bettendorf  his  brother, 
J.  W.   Bettendorf,  became  associated  with  him,  and  as  the  business  grew 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


179 


the  latter,  in  an  executive  capacity,  took  an  increasing  share  of  the  re- 
sponsibility. His  versatility  and  steady  devotion  to  the  firm's  interests 
prepared  him  for  the  part  he  was  ultimately  to  play  and  entitle  him  to 
much  credit  for  the  earlier,  as  well 
as  for  the  later,  successes  the  concern 
achieved. 

In  1902  the  industry  had  out- 
grown its  quarters,  and  so  forty  acres 
of  land  just  beyond  the  eastern  limits 
of  the  city  of  Davenport,  and  on  the 
banks  of  the  Mississippi  river,  were 
purchased,  and  the  first  factory  build- 
ings there  were  erected.  This  was  a 
fortunate  move,  for  additional  room 
was  available  as  it  was  needed.  The 
plant  has  been  gradually  built  up 
during  the  intervening  years  to  its 
present  immense  proportions.  To 
provide  a  place  of  residence  for  fac- 
tory workers,  a  town-site  was  laid 
out  adjacent  to  the  shops  and  named 
Bettendorf.  This  has  now  grown 
into  a  city,  with  a  city's  improve- 
ments and  advantages. 

First  experiments  in  the  manu- 
facture of  cast  steel  trucks  had  be- 
gun with  the  forming  of  the  Betten- 
dorf Axle  Company  in  1895,  but 
slowness  in  the  development  of  the  process  of  making  intricate  steel  castings 
deferred  the  perfecting  of  the  Bettendorf  invention.  Not  till  1903  were 
truck  side  frames  actually  produced,  and  then  in  only  a  small  way.  Their 
use  soon  proved  their  superiority,  and  arrangements  were  made  with  one 
of  the  principal  steel  castings  manufacturing  firms  for  quantity  production. 
As  time  passed  and  the  new  frame  became  more  and  more  popular,  castings 
orders  were  placed  with  other  makers. 

To  secure  uniformity  of  product  in  the  various  foundries  it  was  neces- 
sary for  the  Bettendorf  company  to  supervise  the  making  of  the  castings, 
and  to  install  in  each  plant  its  specially  designed  hydraulic  straightening 
presses,  by  which  the  various  parts  were  aligned  and  tested.  In  pursuance  of 
the  same  object,  elaborate  records  were  kept  of  the  performance  of  thou- 
sands of  trucks  in  use.  This  made  possible,  also,  a  more  intelligent  selec- 
tion of  materials  and  the  prevention  of  defects.  As  a  result  of  these  pre- 
cautions, Bettendorf  products  rapidly  built  up  a  reputation  for  strength 
and   reliability,   and   a   fund   of   experience   was   gained   which   was   of    im- 


J.  H.  Bend 


180 


R  ()   C   K        I    S    I.   A   X    I)       A   R  S    E   N  A  L 


nicnsc  value  later  when  the  coinpaiiy  undertook  the  making  of  all  its  own 
parts.  It  became  evident  that  oi)en  hearth  steel  was  best  adapted  to  the 
casting  of  steel  car  frames,  and  that  certain  (pialities  must  be  incorporated 
to  resist  the  shocks  and  stresses  to  which  cars  in  service  are  subjected. 
Perceiving  finally  that  the  most  economical  and  satisfactory  way  to  get 
desired  results  was  to  do  its  own  casting,  llie  company,  in  1909,  began  the 
erection  of  a  foundrw  which  was  ]»laced  in  commission  during  the  following 
year. 

Tiuill  originally  with  three  twenty-live-ton  furnaces,  the  foundry  has 
been  enlarged  from  time  to  time  till  il  now  has  seven  units  which  make  all 
castings  for  car  trucks,  and  togctlicr  ha\c  an  annual  capacity  of  320,000 
side  fratues  and  b(ilsters. 

in  the  arrangement  and  c(|uii)ping  of  its  foundry  the  P)ettendorf  company 
scored  a  great  mechanical  and  engineering  triumph.  IJased  as  it  was  upon  ex- 
perience obtained  in  a  witle  tield  and  under  varying  circumstances,  it  em- 
braces features  not  found  elsewhere,  and  turns  out  a  superior  product.  Ex- 
ceptional strength  and  uniformit}-  in  all  parts  of  the  same  casting,  as  well  as 
between  the  se])arate  ])ieces,  is  insured  by  treatment  in  specially  designed 
atuiealing  furnaces,  which  is  also  a  purely  Hettendorf  creati<m.  Proof  of  the 
effectiveness  of  the  IJettendorf  process  is  to  be  had  in  the  exceedingly  low 
percentage  of  replacements  because  of  defects. 

While  the  Bettendorf  industry  was  at  the  height  of  its  expansion  pro- 
gram. W  .  I'.  Bettendorf  was  called  by  death,  the  end  coming  Jtme  3.  1910. 
Eor  a  time  it  was  feared  that  the  loss  of  his  leadership  would  {lermanently 
check  the  growth  and  usefulness  of  the  concern  in  which  he  had  played 
so  important  a  part.  Stich  forebodings,  however,  were  ill-founded.  J.  W. 
Bettendorf.  the  survixing  brnllier,  pro\cd  e(|ual  to  the  lieaxy  task  laid  upon 
his   shoulders.      .Assuming  the   added    resjxmsibilities.    he    went    ahead    with 


Bir.Ueve  View  of  B.iii-mlorf  Plant  witli  Mi 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


181 


the  plans  for  enlargement,  and  the  achievement  of  the  company  since  has 
been  largely  due  to  his  efficient  direction.  In  1913  a  reorganization  on  a 
broader  basis  took  place,  with  J.  ^V.  Bettendorf  president,  J.  H.  Bendixen 
vice-president  and  manager  of  sales,  and  a  large  and  competent  staiT  of 
subordinate  officers. 

During  the  World  \\'ar  the  company  felt  that  it  could  do  its  bit  more 
effectively  in  manufacturing  railroad  equipment,  then  so  badly  needed, 
rather  than  by  rebuilding  much  of  its  shop  equipment  for  the  production  of 
munitions.  It  filled  an  order  from  the  United  States  Railroad  Administra- 
tion for  3,000  box  cars  and  supplied  trucks  for  30,000  other  cars,  which 
was  its  major  contribution  to  the  industrial  effort  of  this  country.  In 
addition,  it  gave  some  attention  to  the  machining  of  artillery  recuperators 
and  the  making  of  trench  mortar  forgings.  Had  the  war  continued  another 
year,  it  is  probable  that  munition  manufacture  would  have  been  undertaken 
on  a  much  more  extensive  scale.  At  the  time  the  armistice  was  signed 
the  concern  was  working  on  an  order  for  casting  and  machining  wheels  for 
four-wheel  drive  trucks.  This  order,  which  was  for  equipment  for  7.500 
vehicles,  was  not  completed,  and  special  machinery  installed  for  the  work 
was  thereafter  useless.  Plans  were  in  hand  at  the  time  hostilities  ceased 
for  the  assembling  of  1,500  Mark  \'III  tanks,  involving  the  handling  of  a 
vast  amount  of  material,  but  no  actual  work  was  done. 

As  in  the  case  of  other  industries,  the  Bettendorf  organization  was 
handicapped  by  withdrawal  of  S(^me  of  its  best  men  to  enter  the  service. 
The  number  wdio  went  from  its  shops  and  offices  to  take  up  arms  was   124. 

The  company  specializes  in  one  type  of  car  truck,  upon  which  it  stakes 
its  reputation  and  in  wiiich  it  embodies  the  best  materials  and  methods 
of  construction  that  Bettendorf  brains  can  devise  and  Bettendorf  resources 
provide.  The  present  plant  has  a  capacity  of  320,000  side  frames  and 
bolsters  and  30.000  underframes,  (jr  12,000  completed  cars  per  year. 


Che  HctlcmVirf   Company. 


tlcltsnOtirf.     .Soma. 


sissippi  River  and  Illinois  Shore  in  Distance. 


182 


ROCK       I   S   L  A   X   1)       A  R  S   E   X  A   L 


Au^ustana' ^College 

Augustana  College  is  one  of  the  early  educational  institutions  L>f  Illinois. 
Pioneer  settlers  who  came  from  the  l^^ast  and  from  Northern  Europe  to  the 
upper  Mississippi  valley  in  the  40's  and  50's  at  once  felt  the  need  of  an 
institution    for   general    education   and    for    the    training   of    ministers    and 


OMer  Collejie  Bu.i.:     _ 

teachers.     Augustana    College   and    Theological    Seminary   was    founded   by 
these   pioneers   in   1860. 

From  the  beginning  Augustana  College  felt  it  to  be  its  duty  to  serve  the 
state  and  community,  as  well  as  the  church.  During  the  Civil  War  the 
growth  of  the  institution  was  impeded,  as  the  prospective  students  enlisted 
in  the  Union  army.  After  the  close  of  this  war  the  development  has  been 
steady,  and  the  College  has  now  grown  to  number  a  thousand  students. 

During  the  years  1860-63  this  institution  was  located  in  Chicago;  during 
the  following  twelve  years  it  was  located  at  Paxton,  111.,  and  in  1875 
Augustana  College  found  its  permanent  home  at  Rock  Island.  The  buildings 
comprise  Old  Main.  Dormitories,  one  for  young  men  and  one  for  young 
women,  and  Science  Hall.  The  gymnasium  is  one  of  the  best  buildings  for 
its  purpose  in  the  state,  with  running  track  and  swimming  pool.  On  ac- 
count of  its  size  (90x140),  it  is  also  used  as  an  auditorium,  the  acoustics 
being  perfect.  Citizens  of  Rock  Island  and  Moline  assisted  generously  in 
contributing  to  the  expenses  for  erecting  this  gymnasium. 

The  most  beautiful  building  on  the  grounds  is  the  Denkmann  Memorial 
Library,  erected  by  the  children  to  the  memory  of  the  parents.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
F.  C.  A.  Denkmann.  In  this  library  building  are  housed  the  administrative 
offices  of  the  Augustana  College.  Four  stories  of  modern  stacks  give  ample 
room  for  the  books:  the  offices  of  the  library  are  on  the  second  floor.  In 
the  beautiful  architecture  of  this  building,  the   reading-room   has   been  ac- 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


183 


184 


R  (.)  C  K       1  S  L  A  N  D       A   R  S   K   N  A   L 


centuatetl  both  as  to  size  (50x120)   and  l)y  beauty  of  decoration,  so  that   it 
is  one  (»f  the   finest   reading^  rooms  of  any   C'olleije   in  our  country. 

Two  buildings  are  now  being  erected  at  a  cost  of  approximate! \-  S.^00,- 
000.00.  for  the  Theological   Seminary,  one   constituting  the   main   building. 


I  I  nil  Memorial  Library 

the  other  the  Seminary  dormitory.  I  Mans  are  maturing  for  ihc  ])rocuring  of 
funds  and  for  the  erection  of  additional  buildings,  greatly  needed  for  the 
right  development  of  the  College. 

The  ])resent  grounds  cover  an  area  of  about  36  acres.  The  buildings 
(of  which  there  are  eight),  and  the  grounds  represent  a  value  of  $494.000.(X). 
The  I'.ndowment  and  Trust  Funds  amount  to  $656,991.16.  making  the  total 
value  of  the  institution  abo\e  a  million  dollars. 

\\'hen  President  Wilson  in  1917  called  for  \iilunteers.  so  great  a  num- 
ber of  .\ugustana  students,  including  the  whole  l)and.  enlisted,  that  this 
institution,  according  to  the  records  at  Washington,  stood  first  on  the  list 
of  American  colleges  as  to  the  number  of  students  enlisted  in  proportion 
to  the  attendance. 

The  roster  of  the  1921  catalog  shows  that  twenty-six  states  of  the 
Union  and  two  foreign  countries  (Canada  and  Sweden)  sent  ])Upils  to 
Augustana.  The  graduates  of  the  college  dei)artment  now  number  850; 
from  the  Theological  Seminary  one  thousand  young  men  ha\e  gone  forth 
to  serve  the  church  in  the  ministry.  In  all,  about  ten  thousand  >tudents 
have  been  wards  of  Augustana  College  during  the  sixty-two  years  of  its 
existence;  these  former  students  are  now  found  in  all  departments  of 
American  activity,  in  the  halls  of  Congress,  on  the  judge's  bench,  in  the 
ministry,   in   law.   in   business,  on   the    farm,   and    in    foreign   parts. 

The  fall  term  begins  during  the  first  week  in  ."September;  the  spring 
term  in  the  second  week  of  January.  I'"urther  information  is  furnished  by 
the    rresidenl.   Dr.   Custav   Andreen,   Augustana    College,    Kock    Island.    111. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  185 

The  McCarthy  Improvement  Company 

The  history  of  street  pa\iiig-  in  the  middle  west  might  be  written  in  the 
life  story  of  P.  F.  McCarthy,  president  of  the  McCarthy  Improvement 
Company,  of  Davenport.  Mr.  McCarthy  started  his  active  career  as  water 
boy  with  Edwards  &  Walsh,  thirty-odd  years  ago.  That  firm  laid  most  of 
the  first  paving  placed  in  the  main  streets  of  the  Tri-Cities. 

In  those  days  brick  was  exclusively  used,  and  it  wasn't  very  good  brick, 
either,  according  to  modern  standards.  It  would  not  have  long  stood  up 
under  present  day  traffic.  A^itrified  paving  blocks  were  then  unknown  and 
concrete  foundations  had  not  come  into  vogue.  The  foundation  was  of 
stone,  broken  by  hand  on  the  ground.  ( )n  this  was  placed  a  sand  cushion, 
and  then  sometimes  only  one,  but  usually  two,  courses  of  brick.  The  lower 
course  was  laid  flat,  and  culls  were  considered  good  enough  for  this  layer. 

The  first  concrete  base  was  made  with  hydraulic  cement  and  mixed  with 
shovels.  Then  came  mixing  machinery,  crude,  but  much  more  economical 
than  hand  methods.  That  was  the  era  of  the  wheelbarrow,  which  was  used 
to  feed  the  mixer  and  distribute  the  concrete.  Always  there  was  an  incline 
up  which  the  material  was  pushed  to  be  dumped  into  the  hopper.  Now  there 
is  scarcely  a  wheelbarrow  in  use  on  any  paving  job.  Hand  labor  is  reduced 
to  a  minimum. 

Introduction  of  the  motor  truck  has  rexolutionized  the  paving  business. 
Materials  are  assembled  at  central  i)oints  and  conveyed  to  the  scene  of 
operations  as  they  are  needed.  In  the  case  of  concrete,  the  ingredients  are 
elevated  by  machinery  and  dumped  into  trucks,  which  carry  them  to  the 
mixers  on  the  scene  of  operations.  Sometimes  mixing  is  done  at  central 
plants,  where  supplies  may  be  prepared  for  several  jobs  in  progress  at  the 
same  time.  This  plan  has  been  successfully  followed  by  the  McCarthy 
Improvement  Company  when  the  haul  was  as  great  as  seven  miles. 

Use  of  machinery  has  greatly  speeded  up  street  improvement.  It  has 
also  facilitated  the  standardization  of  mixtures,  insuring  uniform  work  of  a 
much  better  qualit_\'  than  it  was  possible  to  turn  out  I)y  the  old  hand  methods. 
Materials  can  be  more  accurately  measured  or  weighed.  Inspection  is  nijide 
more  efficient  and  formulas  are  more  closely  followed.  Paving  may  cost 
more  per  yard  than  it  did  a  decade  or  more  ago,  but  it  is  vastly  better.  If  it 
were  not  it  would  quickly  break  down  under  heavy  motor  traftic. 

Mr.  McCarthy  worked  up  through  the  paving  business  to  the  top. 
From  water  boy  he  advanced  to  stone  cutter,  shaping  the  stone  curbing  in 
use  in  the  early  days.  Then  he  became  foreman,  later  superintendent,  and 
finally  organized  a  company  of  his  own.  The  McCarthy  Improvement 
Company  was  incorporated  in  1903,  in  Iowa,  and  three  years  later  took  out  a 
charter  in  Illinois.  It  is  now  one  of  the  largest  paving  concerns  in  the  west. 
It  pays  most  attention  to  city  work,  its  field  being  Iowa  and  Illinois,  but 
it  also  does  highway  construction.  Ten  years  ago  it  laid  some  of  the  first 
concrete   paving  on   a   country   road   in   Rock    Island    county.      This   stretch 


Abovr  — F'.  F.  McCarthy.  Prcsi.lrnl.      Below — T.  J.  OBricn.  VirrPrcsi.lent  and  G.iural  Manag. 


of  highway,  which  is  near  Joslin,  is  still  in  perfect  condition.  More  recent 
wurk  of  tiiis  kind  was  the  brick  paving  on  the  lirady  street  road  north  of 
Davenport.  The  company  never  has  been  called  upon  to  relay  paving  be- 
cause of  faulty  work. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


187 


Two  Views  of  First  Conipl.iril  H.,ul.  \anl  I  ink  connecting  Rock  Island  and  Moline,  and  Built  by  the  McCarthy  Improvement 

Company.     Above — Lookini;  ha<it  on  Nineteenth  Avenue  from  First  Street,  Moline.     Below — Looking 

East  on  Eighteenth  Avenue  from  Thirtieth  Street,  Rock  Island. 


The  first  asphalt  paving  put  down  by  the  company  was  laid  on  Main 
street,  Davenport,  north  of  Locust,  in  1904,  and  is  still  in  use  with  little 
deterioration.  Much  of  its  later  work  has  been  of  this  material.  It  uses 
mostly  Mexican  asphalt,  refined  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.  Weighing  of  all 
materials  and  the  system  of  mixing  and  treating  insure  absolute  uniformity 
and  long  life  in  pavements  laid  by  this  company. 

The  McCarthy  Improvement  Company  employs  about  five  hundred  men 
during  the  active  season.  Its  work  is  directed  by  a  skilled  staff,  most  of 
whom  have  grown  up  with  the  concern.  It  maintains  a  large  amount  of 
equipment.  Headcjuarters  and  general  offices  are  in  Davenport.  The  officers 
are:  President,  P.  F.  McCarthy;  Vice-Presidents,  T.  J.  Walsh  and  T.  J, 
O'Brien;    Secretary,    William    Wafer;    Treasurer,    D.    R.    Lane, 


188 


R  ()   I"   K       1   S   L  A   X  1)       A  R  S   E   N  A  L 


The  Rock  Island  Telephone  System 

When  the  Unitetl  States  ( i(i\ernment  established  an  Arsenal  in  Rock 
Island  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  War.  the  telephone  had  not  been  invented.  It 
is  doubtful  if  at  that  time  even  a  few  persons  so  much  as  dreamed  of  having 
ihcir  voices  carried  by  wire.  N(jw  the  telephone  is  intricately  woven  into 
all  of  Rock  Island's  business  and  social  activities. 

In  1876,  Alexander  (irahani  Hell  made  the  (lisco\ery  upon  which  the 
present  art  of  tele])hone  communication  is   founded.     Less  than  two  years 


Rork  Island  Tcleplione  Exchange. 

later  conversation  by  wire  was  possible  in  Rock  Island.  It  was  not  until 
January.  1880,  that  regular  service  was  offered  the  ])ul)lic.  and  this  was 
thr<jugh  a  small  switchboard  in  Daven])ort. 

There  was  only  a  handful  «>f  subscribers  in  the  early  years  and  their 
nund)er  increased  slowly.  Later,  howe\er,  an  exchange  was  established  in 
rented  (piartcrs  in  Rock  Island.  In  1901.  the  telephone  company  completed 
its  own  building  on  Nineteenth  street.  Mere  was  a  switchboard  with  places 
for  ten  girls  to  handle  local  calls  and  two  f(jr  tolls. 

In  1914,  when  the  Xinetecnth  street  building  was  nearly  outgrown, 
constructi(»n  of  the  present  telephone  building  was  begun  at  635  Eighteenth 
street.  On  January  18.  1915.  the  change  from  the  old  board  to  the  new  was 
made. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


189 


There  are  now  fifty-five  per  cent  more  telephones  in  Rock  Island  than 
there  were  ten  years  ag"o.  In  that  time  the  population  of  the  city  increased 
thirty-seven  per  cent.  Service  is  given  through  a  switchboard  with  thirty 
positions  for  girls  handling  local  calls  and  ten  positions  for  toll  traffic. 

Rock  Island  now  has  in  use  more  than  6,300  telephones,  of  which  seventy 
l>er  cent  are  residence  stations.    There  is  a  force  of  more  than  100  employees 


Interior,  Showing  Switchboard  in  Operation. 


operating,   repairing  and   extending  the   equipment    so   that   better   and    in- 
creased service  may  be  given. 

Telei)hone  men  and  women  of  Rock  Island  are  a  part  of  the  great  army 
of  225,000  Bell  System  employees,  all  stri\-ing  for  the  same  purpose — the 
rendering  of  better  and  increased  service. 

The  telephone  plant  in  Rock  Island  is  part  of  the  Bell  System  facilities 
that  makes  it  possiljle  for  you  to  talk  to  persons  in  70,000  other  places  in  the 
United   States,   Canada  and   Cuba. 

Citizens  of  Rock  Island,  employees  and  others,  are  numbered  with  the 
more  than  200,000  shareholders  of  the  Bell  System.  They  are  the  owners 
who  have  invested  their  savings  to  provide  a  nation-wide  telephone  system. 


190 


ROCK       IS 


L  A  N  D       A  R  S   E   N  A  L 


The  Builders  Sand  and  Gravel  Co. 


First  in  its  line  of  business  in  the  Tri-City  tiekl.  the  Builders  Sand  & 
Gravel  Company,  of  Daveni)ort.  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  furnished 
building  material  to   Rock  Island  .\rsenal    from  the  time  that  construction 

was  started,  back  in  1863.  It  has  been  priv- 
ileged to  transact  business  with  the  War 
Department  under  every  Commandant  from 
Maj.  Kingsbury  to  Col.  King.  Its  first  con- 
tract was  for  sui)plies  used  in  the  old  store- 
house ccMitaining  the  clock  tower.  It  con- 
tributed U)  the  erection  of  the  original 
shops  and  did  its  part  in  furthering  the 
great  construction  i)rogram  undertaken 
during  the  AX'orld   War. 

Origin  t)f  the  company  dates  back 
seventy  years  to  the  time  when  its  founder, 
Hans  Goos.  father  of  the  present  manager, 
began  operations.  His  first  equii)ment  con- 
sisted of  a  small  flatboat  propelled  with 
])ike  poles.  Sand  was  loaded  from  nearl^y 
bars  and  islands  by  means  of  wheelbarrows. 
The  first  imi)rovement  consisted  of  long- 
handled  shovels,  flatiron-shaped  and  per- 
forated to  i)ermit  the  water  to  escape.   With 

ihese  sand  was  scooped  up  from  the  bottom  of  the  stream  and  a  better  grade 

was  obtained  with  less  effort. 

About  this  time  the  pike-pole  method  of  propulsion  was  discarded  in 
favor  of  a  sail,  enabling  the  craft  to  make  longer  trips,  going  as  far  down 
stream  as  Muscatine  and  as  far  up  as  Hampton.  To  pilot  such  a  sailing  boat 
over  the  Rock  Island  rapids  was  c«.>nsidered  quite  a  feat. 


H«n«  Coos.  Foundrr  of  The  Buililers  Sand  ami 
Gravrl  Coaipanv. 


na\<>n[".rt  River  Fnml.  Showinp  I.oaHinp  Bin?  and  Pari  of  ihf- 


ROCK      ISLAND       ARSENAL 


191 


Hand  and  wind  power  gave  way  to  steam  about  1880,  when  the  company 
fitted  out  a  steam  elevator  dredge  for  loading  sand  and  gravel  and  secured 
a  small  sidewheel  steamer  for  towing  barges  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal  and 
other  points.  Unloading  continued  to  be  done  by  hand  from  docks  along  the 
levee  until  comparatively  recent  years. 

In  1891  the  present  company  was  in- 
corporated. The  same  year  was  marked  by 
the  introduction  of  a  modern  centrifugal, 
commonly  called  suction,  pump  for  loading- 
sand  and  gravel,  and  a  larger  and  more 
powerful  sternwheel  steamer  to  replace  the 
sidewheeler. 

The  present  method  of  handling,  as 
developed  by  the  Builders  Sand  &  Gravel 
Company,  consists  of  loading  barges  by 
large  centrifugal  pumps,  or,  if  the  material 
is  crushed  rock,  by  gravity  from  bins  at  the 
(]uarry.  These  are  then  towed  to  Davenport 
by  sternwheel  steamboats,  of  which  there 
are  two  in  service.  Unloading  is  done  by 
a  powerful  crane  and  derrick  boat,  or  a 
locomotive  crane,  into  reinforced  concrete 
bins.  From  these  the  material  is  dropped 
into  trucks  and  wagons.  In  this  operation 
crushed  rock,  sand  and  gravel  may  be  ac- 
curately measured  in  desired  proportions  ready  to  be  dumped  into  con- 
crete mixers  on  the  job.  Thus  all  hand  labor  from  the  sandl^ar  to  the 
mixer  is  eliminated. 

The  Builders  Sand  &  Gravel  Company  enjoys  a  most  advantageous 
location.  Its  bins  for  the  handling  of  sand,  gravel  and  stone  are  on  the  river 
bank  directly  opposite  the  west  end  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal.     It  has  a  500- 


Hans  Goos,  Son  of  Founder  of  the  Company, 
and  Present  Manager. 


lJLj    i  *  s  g  t 


ting  Equipment  of  The  Builders  Sand  and  >'• 


Pl  Comp. 


192  ROCK       1   S   L  A  X   D       A  R  S   E   N  A   L 

foot  frontage  there  under  25-year  lease  from  the  Davenport  Levee  Com- 
mission. It  (lid  the  levee  improvement  work  at  this  point,  with  tlie  excep- 
tion of  building-  the  sea  wall,  and  paved  the  driveway  with  concrete.  A 
railroad  track  runs  the  full  length  of  the  property. 

Warehouses  and  yards  for  the  handling  of  building  material  and  fuel 
are  located  at  First  and  (iaines  streets,  at  the  edge  of  the  business  district 
of  the  city.     Here  there  are  800  feet  of  private  railroad  tracks. 

The  com])any's  first  steamboat  was  named  Lone  Star.  The  larger  of 
the  two  present  craft  is  the  Lone  Star  III.  The  other  is  the  Lone  Deer. 
There  is  also  a  derrick  boat,  a  large  fleet  of  barges,  and  a  30-ton  railroad 
crane. 

Almost  unlimited  quantities  of  sand.  gra\el  and  rock  are  at  hand. 
Sand  of  best  quality  is  brought  from  a  dozen  miles  downstream  and  rock 
is  obtained  from  the  Buffalo  and  Linwood  quarries.  The  company  has  its 
own  gravel  pit  thirty  miles  upstream.  As  much  as  1.000  yards  or  1.500  tons 
of  these  materials  has  been  unloaded  and  retailed  in  a  sinsfle  day. 


The  Davenport  Water  Company 

DaNcnjiort  has  a  safe  and  adequate  water  sujiply.  furnished  by  the 
Davenport  Water  Company,  drawn  from  the  channel  of  the  Mississippi 
river  and  purified  by  the  most  approved  processes.  In  neither  quantity 
nor  quality  has  this  concern  failed  to  meet  the  increasingly  exacting  re- 
quirements   laid   u])nn   municipal    water   plants   during   the    last   generation. 

After  several  efforts  to  provide  a  city-owned  water  system  had  failed. 
Daveni)ort.  in  1873.  granted  a  franchise  tt)  the  present  company,  which 
was  founded  b}-  the  late  Michael  Donahue  and  associates.  From  the  be- 
ginning satisfacttiry  service,  rather  than  large  i)rofits.  has  been  the  con- 
cern's main  objective.  Continuity  of  management  has  been  a  factor  in 
attaining  this  end.  a  number  of  those  htdding  places  of  responsibility 
with   the    company   having   served    it    for   many   years. 

Growing  needs  of  the  city  have  been  provided  for  and  maximum  fire 
protection  aflorded  by  the  installation  of  over-size  mains  and  ample  re- 
serve machinery.  Average  pressure  maintained  is  exceptionally  high. 
The  company  has  met  every  emergency  that  has  arisen  in  the  half  century 
of  its  existence.  It  now  has  120  miles  of  distribution  mains,  two  pumping 
stations,  large  sedimentation  basins  and  a  reserxoir.  which,  being  located 
on  the  bluff,  offers  the  advantage  of  gravity  jtressure  in  the  business  dis- 
trict. 

The  Davenport  \\'ater  Company  was  one  of  the  first  to  install  filters 
for  the  purification  of  Mississipjji  riv.er  water.  It  operates  under  a  25- 
year  franchise,  which  was  renewed  in  1914.  The  ])resent  ofticers  are: 
President,  Thomas  W.  (iriggs;  Nice-President.  Tliomas  [.  Walsh;  Sec- 
retary and  Treasurer.  James  P.  Donahue;  (len.  Manager.  C.  R.  Henderson. 


R  O   C  K 


ISLAND       A   R  S    E   N  A  L 


193 


The  Borg  &  Beck  Company 

Back  of  the  smoke  and  smudge  and  clatter,  the  stress  and  toil  and  grind 
of  the  average  industrial  enterprise  lies  an  element  of  chance — a  business 
romance — that  keeps  the  game  ever  new  for  those  who  direct  its  movements. 

The  play  of  forces  in  the  fairy  tales  of  our  childhood,  in  which  suspense 
gradually  grows  till  the  climax  in  which  the  prince  and  the  princess  are 
married  and  "li\e  happil}'  e\er  after"  is  reached,  has  its  counterpart  in 
the  dreams  ni  many  a  plain  matter-of-fact  indixidual  whose  earthly  all 
is  tied  up  in.  some  grimy  manufacturing  enter])rise.     The  difference  is  that 


The  Moline  Plant 


in  the  manufacturer's  dream  the  prince  is  an  ideal  product,  guiltless  of 
mechanical  fault  or  tiaw,  whose  principality  is  protected  irom  invasion  by 
iron-bound  patents,  the  princess  is  the  universal  market  that  ncj  rival  has  yet 
wooed,  and  the  dreamer  is  the  good  fairy  who  brings  the  two  together  and 
shares  with   them   the   ha])]jiness  that   ever  afterward   prevails. 

Records  of  the  bankruptcy  courts  unfortunately  prove  that  by  far  the 
larger  part  of  the  dreams  of  manufacturers  fail  to  come  true.  Those  of 
Charles  W.  fjorg  and  Marshall  Beck,  however,  were  an  exception  to  the 
rule.  The  manner  in  which  their  early  hopes  and  expectations  have  been 
realized  is  a  stor}-  of  unusual  interest.  In  the  automobile  clutch  Avhich 
their  company  perfected  they  ha\e  an  ideal  device  for  which  there  is  an 
almost  universal  demand.  It  is  regular  equipment  with  three-fourths  of  all 
automobiles  of   standard   design   made   in   this   coiuitry. 

In  1903  Charles  \\\  Borg  was  a  member  of  the  designing  and  experi- 
menting staff   of   the   Deere   »S:   Mansur   Company,    Moline.      Wooden   parts 


194  K  (  )   I     K       I   S   L  A   K  D       ARSENAL 

of  implements  and  wagons  at  that  time  were  mostly  made  by  hand  or  with 
machinery,  the  operation  of  which  was  comparatively  slow'  and  expensive 
and  often  dangerous.  Mr.  Borg  devised  a  shaping  planer,  a  wood-working 
device  which  by  means  of  a  succession  of  cam-controlled  cutting  heads, 
turned  out  at  a  single  run  finished  parts  with  tapers,  swells,  bevels,  rounds, 
and  other  irregularities  of  form.  Its  use  greatly  simplified  the  making  of 
wagons,  to  which  it  was  first  applied.  si)eeding  up  the  process  and  reducing 
the  number  of  operations. 

Realizing  that  he  had  hit  ui)on  something  of  unusual  value.  Mr.  Borg 
resigned  and  prepared  to  manufacture  his  machines.  At  first  he  made  his 
own  drawings  and  patterns  and  did  his  nwn  machine  work.  Later  he  ap- 
plied the  shai)ing  ])laner  princi])le  tn  machinery  for  cutting  wooden  parts 
used  in  other  lines  of  manufacture,  such  as  barrels,  washing  machine  tubs, 
porch  columns  and  ice  cream  containers,  'i'he  greater  part  of  wond  products 
of  this  nature  now  made  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  are  shaped  l)y 
Borg  machines  embodying  the  original  jirinciple.  Mr.  Borg  also  devised 
a  wheel  felloe  shaping  machine,  automatic  rim  sander.  automatic  column 
lathe,  automatic  column  cap  and  base  shaper.  automatic  trim  and  crozing 
saw,  plow  share  jointer  and  landside  trimmer,  all  of  which  were  later  made 
?.nd  sold  by  his  company. 

The  co-partnership  of  Borg  t^-  Beck  was  formed  in  1904,  when  Marshall 
Beck  came  into  the  firm  tf)  take  up  the  office  end  of  the  enterprise.  Shop 
space  was  rented  in  j-last  Moline.  Late  in  1909  the  concern  secured  quarters 
of  its  own  at  Third  avenue  and  Si.xth  street,  Moline,  which  are  still  occu- 
pied, though  many  additions  to  them  have  been  made.  Incorporation  under 
the  same  name  took  place  in  1913.  with  Charles  A\'.  Borg  president,  George 
W.  Borg  secretary,  and  Marshall  Beck  treasurer. 

George  W.  Borg.  son  of  the  founder  of  the  firm,  entered  the  industry 
in  1903  and  soon  rose  to  a  place  of  responsii)ility.  His  early  training  for 
the  work  was  obtained  mostly  in  his  father's  shops,  although  he  supple- 
mented his  factory  experience  with  some  technical  instruction  in  college. 
\\'hile  still  in  his  teens  he  was  spending  most  of  his  vacations  and  other 
spare  time  familiarizing  himself  with  the  fundamentals  of  machine  design 
and  construction.  At  22  he  gave  up  school  and  devoted  his  entire  time  to  the 
industry.  Like  his  father,  he  has  a  natural  aptitude  for  mechanics  and 
takes  enthusiastic  interest  in  his  work.  lie  has  designed,  or  helped  to 
perfect,  many  of  the  devices  manufactured  by  his  firm.  He  is  gifted  with 
rare  foresight  and  judgment  in  estimating  mechanical  possibilities  involved 
in  manufacturing  processes.  On  toj)  of  that  he  has  demonstrated  unusual 
executive  cai)acity.  F^or  the  last  decade  he  has  been  in  active  charge,  re- 
lieving his  father  of  most  oi  his  responsibilities,  and  latterly  making  his 
headquarters  at  the  main  i)lant   in  (  hicago. 

For  the  first  few  years  Borg  (S:  Beck  grew  rapidly.  The  early  dreams 
of  the  founders  seemed  realized.  They  had  a  product  which  defied  competi- 
tion, the  demand  was  heavy  and  profits  satisfactory.    But  it  gradually  became 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


195 


(Jeorffe   W.  Borsr 


apparciU  ihal  Ihe  Held  was  limited.  Unce  a  factory  was  equipped  with  their 
machines,  its  needs  in  that  respect  were  met  for  many  years.  Replacement 
orders  were  negdible.     By  1912  ninety  percent  of  the  prospective  users  in  the 


196  R   ()   L    K        1    S    I.   A    X   1)       A    R  S    I-    X   A    1, 

United  Stales  and  Canada  had  installed  Burg  tS:  Beck  equipment.     The  field 
liad  played  out.     It  lucked  as  if  there  were  no  more  worlds  to  c«niquer. 

The  comi)any.  however,  did  nt)t  mean  to  give  up  without  a  struggle. 
W  hen  orders  fur  its  regular  product  fell  off.  instead  of  laying  off  men  and 
reducing  activities,  other  work  was  sought.  Machining  contracts  that  cuuld 
he  executed  without  radical  shop  changes  were  undertaken. 

Ame)ng  the  orders  received  was  one  frum  the  \  elie  Mutur  \  ehicle 
Company  fur  a  number  uf  single  dry-plate  clutches  which  embodied  features 
then  new  in  the  automotive  industry.  Up  to  that  time  mt»st  clutches  used 
liad  been  of  either  the  cone  or  the  multiple  disc  type.  Borg  <J\:  Beck  soon  saw 
that  the  new  clutch  offered  many  advantages.  License  from  the  inventor  to 
manufacture  it  was  secured,  and  an  intensive  effort  to  perfect  certain  details 
that  i)reviously  had  militated  against  the  citmplete  success  of  the  device 
was  undertaken.  In  this  wurk  (iustave  C.  Xelsun.  Mr.  Burg's  first  emi)loye. 
who  had  helped  make  the  original  wood  cutting  machines  and  who  had 
become  shop  superintendent,  rendered  invalual)le  aid. 

In  a  short  time  all  the  essential  features  uf  the  present  frictiun  clutch 
fur  puwer  transmission,  which  has  carried  the  name  uf  Burg  tJv:  Beck  ail  u\er 
the  civilized  wurld.  had  been  perfected.  Strongly  protected  by  its  own 
},>atents.  the  company  turned  its  main  attention  to  the  making  of  clutches. 
At  last  it  had  realized  the  manufacturer's  ideal,  an  exclusive  product  and  a 
demand  that  was  rapidly  becoming  universal. 

Use  of  the  Borg  &  Beck  clutch  is  not  confined  to  autonn)biles.  It  is 
equally  successful  in  trucks,  tractors,  tanks  and  motor  boats.  It  "picks  up" 
the  power  load  smoothly  and  efficiently.  Auiomoti\e  engineers  generally 
recognize  the  Borg  «Jv:  Beck  clutch  as  ideal,  because  of  its  de])endability. 
effectiveness,  ease  of  adjustment  and  low  cost. 

Expansion  of  its  ])usiness  after  the  i)erfection  t)f  the  clutch  made  it 
necessary  for  Borg  c^  Beck  to  expand  its  quarters.  Five  additions  to  the 
original  plant  in  Moline  were  made  in  rai)id  succession.  Then  in  1918. 
because  of  a  local  labor  shortage  incident  to  the  war.  it  was  found  expedient 
to  open  a  branch  in  (ialesburg.  111.,  employing  fifty  men.  Late  the  same 
year  the  factory  of  the  Smith  Form-a- Truck  Company  at  Clearing,  in  the 
southwestern  limits  of  Chicago,  was  bought  at  bankrupt's  sale.  The  plant  was 
new  and  modern  and  well  adapted  tu  the  needs  of  the  new  t)wners.  It  had 
118.000  feet  uf  fluur  space,  giving  ruom  for  the  employment  of  1.000  to 
1.200  ojjeratives.  The  Chicago  Belt  Line  railroad  gave  first-class  shipping 
facilities  and  there  was  a  1.000-fuut  covered  loading  platform  and  as  many 
feet  uf  new  private  service  track.  The  Clearing  factury  was  opened  early 
in  1919  and  was  conducted  as  a  branch  till  early  in  1922.  when  headquarters 
were  removed  there  from  Muline.  The  (ialesburg  branch  was  discontinued 
when  the  one  at  Clearing  was  opened. 

During  the  Wurld  War  Borg  iS:  Beck  worked  almost  exclusively  on 
parts  fi'T  manufacturing  concerns  having  go\  ernnient  contracts. 


RUCK       ISLAND       A   R  S    K   N  A  L 


197 


Leading  Newspaper  In  Western  Illinois 


t>  -.<&.  ■ 


The  Moline  Dispatch  was  estal)lished  as  a  daily  in  1878.  after  a  nuniljer 
of  weekly  newspapers  had  lixed  l)rief  existences.  In  the  first  seven  years 
of  the  life  of  the  Dispatch  it  had  its  own  vicissitudes  and  many  changes  of 
ownership.  Commencing'  in  1885,  when  Messrs.  P.  S.  McGlynn  and  J.  K. 
Groom  became  owners,  the  Dispatch  began  a  growth  commensurate  with  or 
a  little  more  rapid  than  that  of  the  city.  It  moved  into  and  occupied  its 
present  home  in  ( )ctober,  1922. 


From  1885  to  1922  the  ownershi])  of  the  Dispatch  underwent  only  two 
changes — in  1891,  when  Mr.  (irt)om  sold  his  half  interest  to  ^^^  F.  Eastman; 
and  in  1911,  two  years  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Eastman,  when  lohn  .^undine 
])urchased  the   I'^astman  half  interest. 


198 


ROCK       IS   L  A   N  D       A   R  S    R   N  A    T. 


The  Rock  Island  Argus 

Survival  of  the  fittest,  is  the  hard  law  that  has  shaped  the  destinies  of 
the  daily  press  of  the  country.  The  Rock  Island  Argus  stands  today  a 
typical  product  of  newspaper  evolution   during  the  last  seventy  years.     It 

has  fought  and  won  the  long  battle 
in  which  its  competitors,  one  by 
<ine.  failed  and  passed  into  history, 
l)uil(ling  up  a  record  of  real  service 
and  dependability  seldom  rivaled 
and  not  anywhere  excelled  in  news- 
paperd(  )m. 


There  have  been  many  changes 
of  ownership,  of  location,  of  form 
of  publication.  Even  the  name  has 
l)een  altered.  (  )riginally  it  was  The 
Rock  Island  Re])ul)lican. 

Fred  S.  Nichols  and  John  W. 
Dunliam  ])riiUe(l  the  first  issue  of 
the  Weekly  Republican.  C)ctober  18. 
1851.  Dunham  tired  of  the  venture 
in  six  weeks  and  si  tld  <  ait  to  his  part- 
ner. The  latter  held  on  till  1853. 
when  J.  B.  Danforth.  who  had  ac- 
quired an  interest  a  year  earlier,  be- 
came the  sole  owner.  Robert  \\ 
Shurley  became  a  partner  in  1856. 
September  16.  1857.  I'ershing  & 
Connelly,  publishers  of  the  Rock 
Islander,  b(jught  Mr.  Danforth  out.  and  changed  the  name  to  The  Rock 
Islander  and  Argus.  About  the  same  time.  Mr.  Shurley  (lis])osed  of  his 
holdings  to  Milton  Jones,  who  held  an  editorial  ])osition  with  the  pai)er 
till  1881. 

Mr.  Danforth  took  over  the  interests  of  Pershing  &  Connelly  in  1859. 
and  the  name  once  more  became  The  Argus.  Danforth's  connection  with  the 
newspaper  finally  terminated  in  1869,  when  he  sold  to  Robert  F.  McNeal. 
McNeal  survived  less  than  a  year,  selling  to  J.  S.  Drake.  In  1873  The  Argus 
Company  was  incorjjorated.  Richardson  &  Powers  obtained  control  in  1881. 
but  a  few  months  later  publication  was  suspended.  At  this  juncture,  J.  \\\ 
Potter,  publisher  of  the  Freeport  Bulletin,  bought  the  dilapidated  plant  and 
placed  his  son,  John  W.  Potter.  Jr.,  in  charge.  That  was  the  last  change  in 
ownership,  and  marked  the  beginning  of  a  ])criod  of  upbuilding  that  has  con- 
tinued to  the  present. 


r,  Own.-r  and  Publisher  of  The  Ar;;ii*  fr 
IKKl  until  his  <leath  in  1898 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  199 

The  first  daily  was  printed  July  13,  1854.  July  18,  1859,  the  daily  was 
changed  to  a  tri-weekly,  but  Sept.  1,  1861,  returned  permanently  to  the  daily 
field.  In  the  beginning  the  daily  was  published  in  the  afternoon.  From  Dec. 
17,  1855,  to  Nov.  18,  1861,  it  appeared  in  the  morning.  On  the  latter  date 
evening  publication  was  resumed.  A  weekly  was  printed,  in  addition  to  the 
daily,  till  about  twenty  years  ago. 

First  puldication  took  place  in  the  Whittaker  &  Everts  building,  just 
east  of  the  present  Argus  home.  Quarters  were  found  in  the  Buford  block, 
at  the  Northeast  corner  of  Second  avenue  and  Seventeenth  street,  in  1854. 
In  1871  the  Buford  heirs  erected  a  building  for  the  exclusive  use  of  The 
Argus  just  north  of  the  original  block.  Here  the  newspaper  remained  till 
1888,  when  Mr.  Potter  purchased  the  present  quarters,  which  have  been  re- 
modeled several  times  since  to  give  added  facilities. 

Mr.  Potter  died  in  1898.  The  J.  W.  Potter  Company  was  then  organized, 
Mrs.  Potter  assuming  the  presidency  of  the  corporation,  which  position  she 
still  holds.  J.  F.  LaA^elle  became  business  manager  and  H.  P.  Simpson 
editor.    Upon  Mr.  La\>lle's  death  in  1908,  he  was  succeeded  by  F.  J.  Mueller. 

During  the  years  of  marked  transition  in  the  methods  of  newspaper 
publishing  The  Argus  kept  pace  with  its  contemporaries  and  rapidly  grew 
from  a  small,  eight-page  paper  to  a  large  modern  daily.  The  Argus  acquired 
the  first  Associated  Press  report  and  leased  wire  service  in  Rock  Island,  and 
its  mechanical  equipment  has  been  steadily  increased  and  improved. 

In  1919  John  W.  Potter,  third  in  a  direct  line  to  bear  that  name  and 
follow  the  vocation  of  newspaperman,  entered  the  business  and  the  paper  is 
now  actively  conducted  by  him  as  publisher,  his  brother,  Ben  H.  Potter,  Mr. 
Mueller  and  J.  M.  Colligan,  managing  editor.  The  directors  of  the  J.  W. 
Potter  Company  are  Mrs.  J.  W.  Potter,  John  W.  Potter,  Ben  H.  Potter, 
Marguerite  F.  Potter,  F.  J.  Mueller  and  H.  P.  Simpson. 

The  Rock  Island  Daily  Union,  the  last  of  its  competitors  in  the  Rock 
Island  field,  was  absorbed  by  purchase  in  March,  1920,  and  at  that  time  The 
Argus,  which  always  had  been  conducted  as  a  Democratic  paper,  became 
independent  in  politics. 

A  year  later,  in  1921,  a  new  building  site  at  the  southwest  corner  of 
Eighteenth  street  and  Fourth  avenue  was  purchased  by  the  company  and 
plans  for  a  spacious,  modern  plant  to  be  erected  on  this  lot  are  being  drawn. 
The  structure  will  be  one  of  the  finest  newspaper  homes  in  the  middle 
west  and  will  be  modeled  so  as  to  accommodate  the  rapidly  growing  adver- 
tising and  circulation  business  of  The  Argus. 


200 


()   C"   K        I    S    I.   A    X    I)       A    k   S    !•:   N  A   L 

The  Daily  Times 


Tliere  is  l)Ut  one  daih'  newspaper  coxcrin^'  I  )a\en])(irl,  I\(>ck  Island. 
Moline  and  their  sul)nrl)s  and  i^iNiiii^"  a  ci>ni])lete  local  daily  news  service, 
with  deli\ery  by  carrier  throiif^hout  the  Tri-City  held.  That  is  the  Daily 
Times,  ])iil)lishe(l  in  Daxenport.  It  has  been  a  Tri-City  newspa])er  for  civer 
twenty   vears.  exerting'  a  ])('werfnl    inHuence    for  ciunnuniity   co-operation. 

The  Times  was  establishecl  as  a  l)aven])ori  newspaper  in  1886.  \\.  W . 
jlrady  was  its  fotmder.  In  jnne.  1899.  A.  W  .  Lee  and  C.  D.  Reimers,  of 
the  (  )tttimwa  C'oin'ier.  ])nri-hased  the  Times,  which,  with  the  COurier.  became 
the  nucletis  of  the  present   Lee  Syndicate.  com])osed  of  six  daily  news])a])ers. 

L'nder  the  new  owners  the  Times  yrew  rapidly.  (  )thces  were  opened  in 
Rock  Island  and  .Moline  and  news  and  carrier  ser\ice  were  extended  to  the 
Illinois  side  of  llu-  ri\er.  The  l)ail_\-  Times  was  the  first  in  its  tleld  to 
adopt  modern  mechanical   e(pii])ment. 

In  1901  l'..  1'.  .\dler.  the  present  pnblisher  and  ])resident  of  the  Lee 
Syndicate,  was  made  manager  of  the  Daily  Times,  and  Messrs.  Lee  and  Adler 
]nirchased  Mr.  Reimers'  interest  in  the  enterprise. 

'The  Times  was  lirst  ])rinted  in  a  small  plant  on  T'ront  street.  After  a 
few  years  it  took  up  f|uarters  on  I>rady  between  Second  and  'Third  streets. 
September  5.  1911.  it  occupied  its  ])resent  home  on  I^ast  Second  street,  con- 
ceded to  be  one  of  the  finest  news])a])er  establishments  outside  of  the  metro- 
politan centers.  Its  (ioss  hi^h  speed  sextuple  i)ress  has  a  ca])acity  of  72,000 
twelve-page  papers  ])er  hour. 

'J'he  circulation  of  the  Daily  'Times  has  grown  from  1,800  to  24,000. 


R  ()   C  K       ISLAND       A    R  S    E   N  A  L 


201 


The  Davenport  Democrat. — -Iowa's  Leading  Newspaper 

Wlien  the  Democrat  Puljlishing  Company,  headed  by  Frank  D.  Throop, 
purchased  the  Davenport  Democrat  in  the  autumn  of  1915  the  paper  hjoked 
back  across  60  years  of  continuous  jmlilication  under  practically  unchanged 
ownership. 

The  first  issue  of  the  I(»\\a  State  Democrat 
appeared  October  15.  1855,  and  October  22,  1905. 
the  Democrat  ol)served  the  50th  anni\ersary  of 
the  paper  by  the  pul^lication  of  the  Democrat's 
half-century  edition — a  feat  of  journalistic  enter- 
prise which  gave  to  its  readers  nearly  100  pages 
of  historical  and  reminiscent  reading  that  made 
the  edition  unique  in  the  fiebi  of  journalism. 

D.  N.  Richardson,  tiie  long-time  editor  of 
The  Democrat,  left  his  scholarly  and  dignified 
impress  on  its  pages  and  made  it  one  of  the 
leading  newspapers  of  the  west.  In  his  later 
years  he  won  distinction  as  a  traxeler  and  author. 

J.  j.   Richardson,  who  sur\i\ed  his  brother,        

remained  the  i)rincipal  owner  of  the  paper  until  Frank  d.  Throop,  Publisher 

1915,  when  it  was  i)urchased  by  The  Democrat  Publishing  Company,  of 
Avhich  J.  B.  Richardson  is  president  and  Frank  D.  Throop  secretary  and 
treasurer.  In  1922  the  company  purchased  the  property  at  407,  409,  411  and 
413  Brady  street,  where  it  planned  to  erect  a  magnificent  $250,000  plant,  one 
of  the  finest  in  the  middle  west. 

The  paper  has  played  a  large  part  in  the  history  of  Davenport  from  its 
very  beginning.  Launched  as  a  Democratic  daily  by  Richardson.  Hildreth 
and  West,  in  1848,  the  Richardson  ownership  survived  several  changes  in 
the  firm,  and  in  1863,  the  Richardson  Bros,  bought  out  the  other  interests 
and  remained  the  pul)lishers  of  the  paper  for  over  half  a  century.  D.  N. 
Richardson  remained  editor  of  the  i^aper  for  43  years.  He  passed  to  his 
reward  July  4,  1898.  In  1887  The  Democrat  bought  out  the  Davenport 
Gazette,  and  seven  years  later  absorbed  another  Davenport  daih',  the  Leader, 
and  the  name  was  added  as  a  sub-title  to  the  paper. 

Frank  D.  Throop,  present  publisher  of  The  Democrat,  had  been  fcjr 
14  years  connected  with  the  Muscatine  Journal,  and  for  the  last  nine  years 
its  publisher,  when  he  came  to  Daven])ort  and  organized  the  company  which 
purchased  the  Democrat  from  the  Richardson  interests.  He  is  the  third 
generation  of  newspaper  publishers  in  his  family,  his  grandfather  having 
conducted  a  newspaper,  beginning  in  1868.  Since  the  change  in  ownership 
The  Democrat  has  continued  to  expand  in  size  and  infiuence.  and  it  is  to  be 
reckoned  one  of  the  leading  independent-Democratic  newspapers  of  the 
middle  west. 


202 


R  O   r   K        1    S    I.   A    X   I)       A    R  S    !■:   N   A   L 


The  Linograpli  Company 


The  Linograph  Company 
Davenport,  Iowa 


Ihe  Linograph  C\»nipany  of  Daven- 
port, Iowa,  manufactures  the  Linograph. 
which  is  a  typesetting  machine  used  in 
job  printing  and  newspaper  offices. 
\\  hen  this  enterprise  started,  in  1912. 
there  were  many  who  claimed  such  fine 
machinery  as  a  typesetting  machine 
conhl  not  l)e  successfully  manufactured 
out  here  "Where  the  \\  est  Begins."  The 
success  of  the  Linograph  has  definitely 
proven  that  skilled  mechanics  for  the 
highest  grade  of  work  can  be  secured  in 
Davenport. 


The  enterprise  was  brought  here  from  Minneapolis,  Alinn..  through  the 
efforts  of  a  group  of  the  leading  business  men,  acting  under  suggestions 
from  the  Davenport  Chamber  of  Commerce,  then  known  as  The  Greater 
Davenport  Committee,  and  a  large  number  of  Davenport  peoi)le  became 
interested  as  stockholders. 


Since  then  the  Linograph  has  been  developed  and  perfected,  and  new- 
models  have  been  put  on  the  market  which  have  reached  a  high  point  of 
efficiencv.  This  is  an  international  business,  for  Linographs  have  been  sold 
in  twenty-two  foreign  countries  and 
nearly  all  the  states,  and  are  making 
friends  everywhere. 

The  Lin(igraph  Compan}'  is  essen- 
tially a  local  enterprise,  backed  by  Dav- 
enport capitalists  and  hundreds  of  people 
in  the  city  and  vicinity.  The  men  who 
direct  the  destiny  of  and  are  respc^isible 
for  the  success  of  this  enterprise  are: 
R.  R.  Englehart.  J.  ^^'.  Bettendorf.  Chas. 
Shuler,  J.  W.  Bollinger,  Ray  Nyemaster, 
II.  C.  Kahl  and  II.  Petersen. 

The  officers  and  acti\e  management 
consists  of:  R.  R.  Englehart,  president; 
Hans  Petersen,  \'ice-President  and  Gen- 
eral Manager  ;  Ray  Nyemaster,  Treas- 
urer;  J.  C.  Pedersen,  Secretary  and  P. 
O.  Pedersen,  Sales  Manager.  The  Linograph 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


203 


Rock  Island  Bridge  and  Iron  Works 

Facilities  for  the  fabrication  and  erection  of  steel  parts  ofifered  by  the 
Rock  Island  Bridge  and  Iron  Works  makes  possible  greater  speed  in  the 
construction  of  modern  buildings  in 
the  Tri-Cities  and  immediate  vicin- 
ity. This  company  is  equipped  to 
design,  fabricate  and  erect  anything 
in  structural  steel  and  iron.  Its 
plant,  occupying  six  acres  of  ground 
on  the  river  bank  in  the  west  end  of 
Rock  Island,  has  exceptionally  good 
shipping  facilities  both  by  rail  and 
water.  It  regularly  employs  one 
hundred  men. 

Practically  all  the  steel  used  in 
buildings  erected  at  Rock  Island 
Arsenal  during  and  immediately  fol- 
lowing the  war  was  furnished  by  the 
Bridge  and  Iron  A\'orks,  which  also 
erected  there  an  elevated  steel  water 
tank  of  500,000  gallons  capacity.  The 
main  activities  of  the  plant  at  that 
time,  however,  were  devoted  to  the 
fabrication  of  materials  used  in  the 
construction  of  the  5,000-ton  mer- 
chant ships  by  the  Submarine  Boat 
Corporation  for  the  Emergency 
Fleet    Corporation.      The    steel    was 

shipped  direct  from  the  mills  to  Rock  Island,  fabricated  there  and  re-shipped 
to  Newark,  N.  J.,  where  the  ships  were  built  and  launched.  Great  quantities 
cf  material  were  handled  in  this  manner. 

In  peace  time  most  of  the  work  done  by  the  company  has  consisted  in 
the  preparation  and  erection  of  structural  steel  for  building  purposes.  It  is 
advantageously  located  for  the  construction  of  steel  barges,  of  which  it 
has  made  several,  and  in  the  event  of  the  revival  of  river  traffic  it  will  be  in 
position  to  make  a  strong  bid  for  work  of  this  kind. 

The  Rock  Island  Bridge  and  Iron  Works  was  incorporated  in  1912  with 
$100,000  capital.     The  officers  are: 

President — Walter  A.  Rosenfield. 

Vice-President — Walter  G.  Murphy. 

Secretary  and  General  Manager — Edward  Manhard. 


W.  A.  Kusenfield,  President 


204  R  O  C   K       I    S    L  A   X    I)       A    K  S    I".    X   A    L 

National  Construction  Company 

It  lakes  hard  work,  straight  thinking-,  close  hguring  and  Kits  of  nerve 
to  win  success  in  the  construction  g-ame.  That  isn't  all  it  takes,  but  the 
qualities  enumerated  as  essential  will  make  it  clear  that  unless  one  is  pos- 
sessed of  more  jxisitixc  \irtues  than  are  commonl}-  foinid  combined  in  uwq 
individual  be  had  better  turn  his  hand  to  other  things. 

I),  v..  Keeler.  of  Davenport,  has  followed  the  business  for  ihirty-tive 
years.  W  orking  under  his  father,  the  late  Dan  Keeler.  just  thirty-tive  years 
ago  he  laid  tiie  first  pavement  in  this  part  of  the  country.  It  was  of  two- 
course  brick,  on  sand  cushion,  and  extended  from  Perry  to  Ripley  on  Third 
street  in  Davenport. 

With  Mr.  Keeler  for  the  last  twenty  years  has  been  associated  j.  W. 
Crowley. of  the  same  city.  I'lrst  in  the  I'eoples  Construction  Com])any.  later 
in  the  D.  Keeler  Company  and  finally  in  the  Xational  Construction  Company, 
organized  in   1919. 

lleavy  bridge  building  is  the  specialty  of  the  last  named  concern,  but 
it  also  does  all  kinds  of  railroad  work,  installs  water  and  sewer  systems, 
paves  streets  and  builds  and  improves  highways.  One  of  the  big  jjrojects 
put  through  by  one  of  the  earlier  organizations  was  the  celebrated  Belle 
Fourche  irrigation  system  in  the  Black  Hills  of  South  Dakota.  This  under- 
taking in\<  lived  the  erection  of  a  huge  dam.  creating"  a  reservoir  of  9.000 
acres  and  supplying  water  enougli  ti>  reclaim  240.000  acres  of  land. 

( )ther  work  done  bv  the  comjianies  in  which  Messrs.  Keeler  and  Crowley 
had  been  the  mo\ing  spirits  includes  tlie  l)uilding  of  all  the  l)ridges  between 
Chicago  and  Terre  Haute  for  the  Chicago.  Terre  Haute  c\:  St)utheastern.  bet- 
ter known  as  the  John  R.  Walsh  mad  :  l)uil(ling  of  the  cut-oti'  for  the  C.  B.  X: 
O.  between  (  )ld  Monroe  and  Mexico  City,  Mo.;  the  Big  Lane  cut-off  of  the 
Cniiin  Pacific  ont  <if  <  )maha.  and  all  the  bridging  on  tlie  15.  ^:  M.  from 
Lincoln  to  Milford.  Xeb.  .\  sewer  system  casting  a  (piarter  of  a  million 
dollars  was  built  at  Clinton.  Iowa,  in  1911.  and  ])a\  ing  and  sewer  work  done 
in  the  Tri-Cities  before  and  since  has  run  into  large  figures.  <  )ne  of  the  big 
Tri-City  jobs  was  a  storm  drain  and  sewer  system  in  l^ast  .Moline.  completed 
recentlv  at  a  cost  of  a  ((uarter  (d'  a  million  dollars,  .\mong  other  late  under- 
takings was  one  at  !'"<  irl  Madison.  Iowa,  which  cost  half  a  million  and  involved 
engineering  difficulties,  the  suhing  of  which  has  attracted  considerable  at- 
tention among  construction  engineers.  Since  the  forming  of  the  i)resent  com- 
])any.  work  done  has  amoinUed  to  more  than  two  millions  of  (hdlars.  and  at 
the  close  of  the  1922  season  contracts  totaling  a  (juarter  of  a  million  more 
were  in  hand.  During  the  WOrld  War  sewers  were  laid  for  170  go\ernment- 
built  houses,  construction  of  which   was   started    in   Da\en])ort. 

Mr.  Crowley,  before  becoming  associated  w  ith  Mr.  Keeler.  was  superin- 
tendent of  construction  for  the  Daven])ort.  Kock  Island  <!<:  X^orthwestern 
Railroad  Coni])an\-,  having  charge  of  the  building  of  the  Crescent  bridge  and 
of  the  terminals  and  connecting  lines  in  and  adjacent  to  the  Tri-Cities.     In 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R  S   p:   N  A  L 


205 


1914  he  became  Commissioner  of  Public  ^^^^rks  for  the  city  of  Davenport, 
serving  one  term  of  five  years  and  then  resigning  to  return  to  the  construc- 
tion game. 

The  National  Construction  Company  has  its  main  office  in  Davenport, 
with  branch  offices  wherever  large  undertakings  are  in  progress.     The  con- 


Shnwing  Progressive  Stages  of  Big  Din.-iij 


siderable  business  done   in  the  Tri-Cities  and  in  nearby  cities  and  villages 
is  handled  direct  from  headquarters.     ()fficers  of  the  company  are: 

President — D.  E.  Keeler. 

Vice-President — R.  J.  Walsh. 

Secretary  and  Manager — J.  W.  Crowley. 

Treasurer — J.  F.  Schroeder. 

Assistant  Secretary  and  Treasurer — Everett  J.  Thompson. 

Directors — Messrs.  Keeler.  Walsh.  Crowley,  Schroeder  and  A.  J.  Klindt. 


206 


R  O   e"   K       ISLAND       A    k  S    I".    X    A    I 


The  Geo.  SIiel(1on  Company 

Tlie  (leo.  Sheldon  C'onipany  is  one  of  the  younger  construclion 
concerns  of  Davenport,  hut  one  which  already  has  won  a  reputation  in 
the  field  of  highway  and  bridge  building.  In  three  seasons  it  has  built  more 
than  one  hundred  bridges  and  laid  ten  miles  of  concrete  i)a\ing. 

Originally  capitalized  at  $25,000.  the  company  has  authorized  an  increase 
to  $150.(XX).  The  value  of  its  equipment  is  conservatively  estimated  at 
$95,000.  With  e.xjjerienced  and  aggressive  leadership  and  ami)le  means,  it 
seems    destined    to    play   an    increasingly   prominent    part    in   the   extensive 


Concrete  Highway  Bridges  Built  by  The  Geo.  Sheldon  Company 

program  of  highway  im])rovemcnt  U])on  which  tlic  middle  west  is  now 
entering,  as  well  as  to  do  construction  work  along  other  lines,  which  it  is 
fully   qualified   to   undertake. 

The  (ieo.  Sheldon  Company  was  incorporated  in  1920.  Its  president, 
for  whom  it  \yas  named,  had  had  sixteen  years"  ex])erience  in  the  general 
construction  business.  lie  had  built  l)ridgcs  and  concrete  buildings,  laid 
paving  and  done  other  work,  thereby  obtaining  a  practical  knowledge  of 
the  business.  He  saw  that  the  held  was  one  of  large  possibilities,  but  calling 
for  an  effective  organization  and  a  c(»nsiderable  capital  investment  to  be 
successfully  worked.  Therefore  he  set  about  enlisting  the  aid  of  other 
prominent  men  in  the  connnunity.  Since  he  was  a  natixe  of  Davenport  and 
well  and  favorablx-  known,  it  was  not  ditlicult  for  him  to  secure  the  required 
co-operation.  The  vice-president  ()f  the  coiupany  is  Fred  O.  Block,  presi- 
dent of  the  (i.  \V.  Block  Comi)any,  extensive  dealers  in  coal  and  building 
material,  with  twelve  branches  in  \arious  cities.  The  secretary  is  ( iustav 
Stueben.  cashier  of  the  Scott  County  Savings  P>ank.  The  Treasurer.  ( i.  11. 
Ficke.  is  in  the  insurance  and  real  estate  business   in  Da\enport. 

In  its  first  season  the  company  undertook  a  large  highway  bridge  con- 
struction program  for  Scott  County,  Iowa.  ])Utling  in  sixty-six  of  these 
structures.  In  1921,  thirty-seven  bridges  fi>r  Scott  county  and  live  large 
bridges  for  the  state  of  Illinois  were  constructed.  (  )perations  for  the  1922 
season  were  confined  entirely  to  highway  paving,  ten  miles  of  concrete  road- 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


207 


way  being  laid  fur  the  state  of  Missouri.  This  was  a  $500,000  contract,  and 
the  work  was  highly  commended  by  highway  authorities  from  different 
states  who  inspected  it  both  while  it  was  being  built  and  after  completion. 
Exacting  requirements  of  present-day  highway  and  bridge  construction 
make  it  necessary  to  use  only  the  best  equipment  obtainable  and  calls  for 
a  degree  of  executive  and   engineering  skill   unknown   in  such  work  a  few 


Ihe  Work  of  The  Geo.  Sheldon  Company 


years  ago.  In  every  department  the  Geo.  Sheldon  Company  has  made 
good.  Its  equipment  includes  two  complete  paving  units,  five  bridge  build- 
ing outfits  and  camps  of  modern  type  for  each. 

The  company's  work  has  been  of  such  character  that  it  is  being  sought 
after  by  highway  commissions,  county  and  state,  in  Iowa  and  nearby  states, 
to  undertake  new  contracts.  W'ith  its  record  of  achievement  and  with  high- 
way and  bridge  construction  programs  of  unprecedented  extent  in  hand  all 
over  the  country,  the  future  of  the  concern  seems  assured. 


208 


ROCK       I    S    L  A    X   1)       A    R   S    I-.    X  A   L 


The  Tri-Citv  Brick  Conipanv 


The  Tri-City  IJrick  Company  was  organized  in  Febrnary.  1922.  by  Mr. 
J.  L.  Buckley,  then  located  at  Pittsburg.  Pa. 

Mr.  Buckley  organized  the  Tri-City  Brick  Company  for  the  purpose 
of  purchasing  a  i)lant  that  was  (twned  and  operated  by  the  Argillo  Works 
and  located  at  Carbon  Cliff.  111.  The  majority  of  the  stock  in  the  company 
is  owned  bv  Tri-City  residents,  and  the  officers  of  the  concern  at  the  time 
of  this  writing  are  as  follows: 

President — V.  K.   Khoads. 

\'ice-President — C.  j.   Mueller. 

Secretary  and  (ieneral   Manager — j.  L.   Buckley. 

Treasurer — C.  A.  Beers. 

The  above  officers,  together  with  H.  ( ).  Binyt^m.  of  Chicag(^.  and  F.  T. 
Myers,  of  Rock  Island,  constitute  the  board  of  directors. 

This  plant  has  a  large  acreage  of  excellent  raw  material,  both  shale 
and  fire  clay,  and  unexcelled  shipping  facilities,  both  by  rail  and  water  as 
well  as  by  truck,  as  the  plant  is  located  directly  on  the  Rock  Island-Ceneseo 
new  paved  road. 

The  Argillo  L<)m])any.  which  is  one  of  the  oldest  concerns  in  this 
section  of  the  country,  was  devoting  its  efforts  entirely  to  the  manufacture 
of  hollow  ware,  but  immediately  upon  taking  possession  of  the  plant 
Mr.  Buckley  discontinued  the  manufacture  of  hollow  ware  and  started 
manufacturing  face  brick,  and  in  a  short  time  very  successfully  developed 
one  of  the  most  artistic  lines  of  facing  brick  that  has  ever  been  manufactured 
in  the  central   west. 

The  plant  was  greatly  improved  and  extended:  new  kilns  were  erected: 
an  entire  new  set  of  brick  machinery  was  installed,  and  Ijefore  the  end  of 
the   first  year  the   jjroduction   had  been   increased   to  50.C00  brick   per  day. 


Carbon  Cliff  Plant  of  The 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


209 


Commodious  offices  were  opened  up  shortly  after  the  organization  of  the 
company,  in  suite  318,  Robinson  Building,  in  Rock  Island,  where  an  exten- 
sive line  of  its  brick  is  displayed  in  large  panels. 

The  Argillo  works  antedates  all  other  concerns  of  its  kind  in  the  com- 
munity. As  early  as  1856  the  quality  of  the  clay  at  Carbon  Cliff  attracted 
the  attention  of  W*.  S.  Thomas,  who  had  some  scientific  knowledge  of 
ceramics.  At  that  time  the  coal  mines  there  were  at  the  height  of  produc- 
tion and  the  Rock  Island  road  had  just  been  completed,  connecting  the 
Mississii)pi  river  with  the  (ireat  Lakes  at  Chicago,  and  giving  exceptionally 
good  shipping  facilities.  Air.  Thomas  began  by  making  pottery  on  a 
small  scale,  experimenting  t(^  learn  the  possibilities  of  his  undertaking. 
Results  were  so  satisfactory  that  in  1865  a  company  was  organized  l)y  Air. 
Thomas,  together  with  A.  L.  A\'ait,  of  Carbon  Cliff,  and  Jeremiah  Chamber- 
lain, of  Rock  Island.  It  was  given  the  name  Argillo  Works,  Argillo  meaning 
white  clay.  An  architect  from  abroad  was  engaged  to  build  the  hrst  kiln. 
From  that  time  till  the  present  operation  of  the  plant  has  l^een  practically 
continuous,  though  tlie  product  has  been  changed  from  time  to  time  to  meet 
market  demands. 

Milo  Lee  became  chief  owner  and  president  of  the  concern  in  1869.  He 
was  succeeded  in  1897  by  \\'.  T.  Ball.  In  1899  J.  F.  Robinson.  Fred  Titter- 
ington  and  F.  K.  Rhoads  purchased  the  plant,  with  the  189  acres  of  land 
owned  by  the  company,  and  operations  were  conducted  under  the  manage- 
ment of  Mr.  Titterington  until  the  organization  of  the  Tri-City  Brick 
Company. 

Clay  at  (_'ar1)on  Cliff  is  adapted  to  a  wide  \ariety  of  uses.  An  excellent 
grade  of  pottery  was  made  from  it  in  the  early  days.  Crockery  and  jugs 
formed  the  staple  output  for  a  numljer  of  years.  Even  tableware  was 
attempted,  1)Ut  the  product  was  tot)  dark  in  color  to  find  favor.  ( iood  sewer 
pipe  was  turned  nut,  l)Ut  the  kiln  capacity  was  not  large  enough  to  produce 
this  line  successful! v. 


Tli-Citv  Brirk   C.ompanv 


210 


ROCK       I   S   L  A   X   I)       A   R  S   \i  N  A   L 


The  Sturte\  ant -Baker  Company 

Etticiency  and  cleanliness  go  iiand  in  hand  in  the  Sunlight  plant,  the  new 
lionie  of  the  Sturtevant-Baker  Company,  manufacturers  of  l*urity  ice  cream 
and  Crystal  ice.  Located  at  the  corner  of  Sixteenth  street  and  Fifth  avenue. 
Rock  Island,  convenient  for  prompt  delivery  to  all  parts  of  the  three  cities, 
the  huilding  was  planned  ])rimarily  for  the  production  of  good  ice  cream. 
Working  at  full  capacity.  240  gallons  of  ice  cream  can  be  produced  hourly, 
while  the  daily  output  of  ice  is  100  tons. 

In  the  ten  years  since  its  advent  in  Rock  Island  the  Sturtevant-Baker 
Company  has  o])erated  with  marked   success,  building  up  a  reputation  for 


New  Home  of  The  Sturlevant-Baker  C 


Purity  ice  cream  which  extends  throughout  the  three  cities  and  surrounding 
territory.  Twice  it  has  outgrown  its  quarters,  and  finally  was  forced  to 
construct  the  j^resent  building  ft)r  its  plant,  the  structure  being  started 
late  in  1921  and  occupied  early  in  1922. 

The  business  later  acquired  by  the  present  owners  was  started  about 
twenty-five  years  ago  by  the  late  J.  M.  Beeman,  at  Seventh  avenue  and  Fif- 
teenth street.  At  first  a  milk  depot  was  conducted,  and  later  the  Beeman  Ice 
Cream  Company  was  organized.  In  1912  O.  G.  Sturtevant  and  C.  E.  Baker, 
both  experienced  in  the  business,  purchased  Mr.  Beeman's  interests  and  op- 
erated it  as  a  partnership  under  the  name  of  Sturtevant  &  Baker.  The  old 
quarters  were  inadequate  for  the  needs  of  the  new  owners,  and  so  a  new 
building  was  erected  just  across  the  alley  west  of  the  former  station.  There 
the  retailing  of  milk  and  cream  was  shortly  discontinued  and  the  firm  came 
to  devote  its  entire  attention  to  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  ice  cream. 

Details  of  the  present  plant  were  planned  with  much  care  and  after 
an  exhaustive  investigation  of  the  best  features  of  similar  structures  through- 
out the  country.  The  Sturtevant-Baker  Company,  which  was  incorporated 
when  the  expansion  was  undertaken,  was  fortunate  in  securing  the  site  of 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  211 

the  old  rink  building,  centrally  located  and  with  ground  space  of  100x212 
feet.  The  building  covers  all  the  ground,  part  of  it  being  two  stories  in 
height,  and  is  of  fireproof  construction.  In  it  all  that  is  modern  in  the  way  of 
equipment  for  the  manufacture  of  ice  cream  and  pure  ice  has  been  installed. 
While  the  foundations  were  being  laid  an  artesian  well  was  drilled  to 
supply  pure  water  for  the  making  of  ice.  The  structure  is  of  brick  and 
concrete,  presenting  a  pleasing  exterior  and  an  interior  so  admirably  adapted 
to  its  purposes  that  it  is  likely  to  serve  for  a  long  time  as  a  model  for  build- 
ing activities  of  concerns  engaged  in  the  ice  cream  business. 

Recognizing  sunlight  as  an  important  factor  in  promoting  sanitation, 
and  light  interior  colors  as  an  aid  in  the  maintenance  of  perfect  cleanliness, 
the  builders  provided  an  abundance  of  windows  and  skylights  and  finished 
the  inside  in  pure  white.  Refrigerating  machinery  of  the  latest  type  fills 
the  engine  room,  from  which  is  piped  vaporized  ammonia  to  three  separate 
departments.  In  one  of  these  Crystal  ice  is  produced,  being  frozen  in 
brine  reduced  to  a  low  temperature  l)y  the  expansion  of  the  piped  ammonia. 
This  ice,  produced  in  400-pound  cakes,  is  handled  by  an  electric  crane. 
It  is  used  to  pack  ice  cream  and  supplied  to  ice  cream  dealers,  and  the 
surplus  is  sold  at  retail  at  the  plant. 

Four  electrically  operated  freezers  are  in  the  ice  cream  department. 
They  are  cooled  direct  by  the  ammonia  process.  The  "mix,"  composed  of 
cream,  sugar,  flavoring  extracts,  etc.,  is  prepared  in  three  large  containers  on 
the  second  floor  and  fed  through  closed  pipes  dow^n  into  the  freezers.  There 
the  dashers  are  set  at  work  in  the  cold  cylinders  and  when  tests  show  that 
the  specific  gravity  has  been  reduced  to  the  required  point,  the  ice  cream, 
still  in  a  partly  fluid  state,  is  poured  out  into  paper-lined  cans  ready  to  be 
placed  in  the  zero  chaml)er.  Each  of  the  four  freezers  converts  fifteen 
gallons  of  "mix"  into  ice  cream  every  fifteen  minutes. 

In  the  zero  cliaml:)er,  which  is  also  cooled  by  direct  action  of  the  am- 
monia, a  low  temperature  is  maintained.  There  the  ice  cream  is  brought 
to  the  right  consistency  for  handling.  Before  being  delivered  it  is  packed 
in  crushed  ice,  which  keeps  it  in  perfect  condition  for  several  hours,  even  in 
the  warmest  weather. 

Sturtevant-Baker  delivery  facilities  are  up  to  the  high  standard  of  the 
manufacturing  plant.  Anticipating  the  heavy  demand  for  its  product  which 
has  since  been  realized,  the  company  planned  a  large  loading  dock,  all  under 
roof,  from  which  the  eight  trucks  serving  the  Tri-Cities  receive  their  daily 
loads  of  ice  and  ice  cream.  An  overhead  mechanism  carries  the  crushed 
ice  direct  from  the  crusher  to  the  vehicles  so  that  loading  and  packing  can 
be  done  most  expeditiously. 

The  Sturtevant-Baker  Company  invites  inspection  of  its  plant,  confident 
that  the  more  the  public  knows  of  its  methods  of  operation  the  sooner  will 
the  truth  of  its  claim  for  the  purity  and  goodness  of  its  product  be  realized 


212 


ROCK       I   S   L  A   X   1)       A   R  S    1-:   X   A    L 


The  Bettendorf  Oxvgen-Hvdrogen  Company 

(  )xvg^en  and  hydrogren.  combined  in  the  form  of  water,  are  among  tlie 
most  Common  elements.  Separated  they  ha\e  long  been  employed  in 
small  quantities  in  various  ways,  but  their  general  use  in  the  industries  dates 
back  but  a  few  years,  and  involves  a  story  of  surjjrising  growth. 

O.xygen  is  used  mainly  in  welding  and  in  cutting  steel,  expediting  both 
operations  to  a  marked  degree  and  offering  other  improvements  upon  older 
methuds.  During  the  war  hydrogen  was  required  in  large  quantities  to 
inflate  balloons. 

The  business  of  generating  oxygen  and  hydrogen  in  commercial  quan- 
tities in  this  country  goes  back  only  a  few  years.  In  1914,  when  the  World 
War  began,  the  number  of  plants  in  the  United  States  was  fifty-one.  and  the 


»',T;^fe4i|^''" 


ci:-"**i" 


cuantity  of  oxygen  produced  annually  was  104.700,000  cubic  feet.  Xow  there 
are  about  one  hundred  plants,  with  a  capacity  of  1.500,000,000  cubic  feet 
yearly. 

The  Bettendorf  <  )xygen-Ilydrogen  Company  l^egan  operations  in 
August.  1914,  with  a  capacity  of  one  million  cubic  feet  of  oxygen  yearly. 
Its  plant  is  fitted  to  generate  gases  by  the  electrolysis  of  distilled  water. 
A  high  voltage  current  is  passed  through  the  liquid  in  cells,  setting  the  two 
elements  free  in  the  form  of  gases,  which  are  conducted  to  separate  holders 
and  later  compressed  into  steel  cylinders  for  handling,  at  a  i)ressure  of 
1,800  pounds  per  square  inch.  Present  capacity  of  the  plant  is  7,000,000 
cubic  feet  of  oxygen  and  14,000.000  cubic  feet  of  hydrogen  per  annum. 

Hydrogen  is  used  principally  in  the  hydrogenation  of  vegetable  oils, 
a  process  which  converts  them  into  stearine,  used  in  the  manufacture  of  lard 
substitutes. 

During  the  World  War  j)ractically  all  the  gases  generated  by  the 
Bettendorf  jjlant  were  used  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  and  in  Tri-City  manu- 
facturing concerns  doing  war  work.  .\.  J.  Russell,  secretary  and  manager 
of  the  comj^any,  was  chairman  of  the  war  service  committee  of  the  oxygen- 
hydrogen  industry. 

]\.  J.  Bettendorf  is  president  of  the  company.  T.  |.  Walsh  vice-president. 
J.  Reed  Lane  treasurer,  and  A.  J.  Russell  secretary  and  manager. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


213 


The  Knox  Mortuary 


The  Knox  Mortuary 


More  than  a  hundred  years  ago — June  27,  1818,  to  be  exact — was  born 
at  Blanford,  Mass.,  the  founder  of  the  Knox  Mortuary  in  Rock  Island. 
Charles  Bishop  Knox  was  his 
name.  He  learned  the  trade 
of  cabinet  maker,  came  to 
Rock  Island  in  1841  and 
opened  a  shop. 

In  the  early  days  cabinet 
makers  found  plenty  of  work 
in  the  newer  communities  of 
the  west.  They  built  furni- 
ture and  store  fixtures.  Cothn 
making  was  a  side  line.  Such 
factories  as  there  were  then 
were  far  away,  and  trans- 
])ortation  was  expensive  and 
slow.  (ienerally  work  was 
done  on  order,  and  few  goods 
were  made  uj)  in  adxance  to 
be  held  for  sale. 

Mr.  Knox  found  a  brisk  demand  for  coffins  and  soon  established  a  rejjU- 
tation  as  coffin  maker  that  extended  many  miles  l)eyond  the  \illage  limits. 
There  were  no  undertakers  in  the  community  then.  Friends  of  bereaved 
families  generally  \dlunteered  to  officiate  at  burials,  but  even  so,  something 
better  than  a  rough  ]dne  l)ox  nailed  together  by  amateurs  was  demanded. 
Coffins  were  made  to  order,  and  not  infrequently  Mr.  Knox  was  aroused 
during  the  night  to  prepare  one  needed  forthwith  at  some  distant  ])oint.  Such 
experiences  suggested  to  him  the  wisdom  of  making  up  coffins  in  advance 
in  diffierent  sizes,  and  keeping  them  ready  for  emergencies.  This  ])ractical 
expedient,  strange  as  it  now  seems,  set  the  tongues  of  the  townspeople  to 
wagging.  It  \A'as  considered  little  short  of  sacrilegious  to  thus  anticipate 
the  visits  of  the  Grim  Reaper.  Idie  Knox  cabinet  shop  then  was  in  the  base- 
ment of  a  one-story  brick  building  at  what  is  now  2010  Fourth  a\enue.  The 
morbid  curiosity  of  people  who  ])aused  in  the  street  to  watch  the  coffin  maker 
at  work  made  it  expedient  for  the  owner  of  the  shop  to  screen  the  windows. 

The  elder  Knox  conducted  his  first  funeral,  according  to  records  now 
in  the*  hands  of  the  family,  in  1852,  and  three  years  later  he  definitely  em- 
barked in  the  business  of  undertaking,  being  the  first  in  this  ])art  of  the 
country  to  do  so.  From  that  time  till  his  death,  in  1890,  he  was  actively 
engaged  in  this  work,  returning  to  earth  the  remains  of  most  of  the  older 
residents  of  Rock  Island  and  \icinity. 

During  the  Civil  War  nearly  two  thousand  Confederate  prisoners,  who 
died  mostly  of  contagious  diseases,  were  buried  on  Rock  Island,  just  east 


214 


R   (  )   f    K        ISLAND       A    K   S    I".    X   A   L 


1852 — Four  Generations  of  Knox  Service. — .1922 


Hurry    T.    Knox.    .Ir. 
Who    In    Expt'cteil    to    Carry    on 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  215 

of  the  Arsenal  shops.  As  the  only  undertaker  in  the  locality,  Mr.  Knox 
was  called  upon  to  inter  them,  also  making  the  coffins.  This  he  did,  number- 
ing- the  graves  and  keeping  a  record,  still  in  the  family  possession,  of  names 
and  all  other  available  data. 

Two  sons  of  the  elder  Knox  learned  the  undertaking  business  with  him, 
one  of  them,  B.  Frank  Knox,  became  associated  with  his  father  in  1872,  and 
taking  over  the  business  upon  the  latter's  death.  The  son  had  his  first 
introduction  to  hard  work  as  a  boy,  being  employed  in  a  bakery  at  night 
making  bread  for  Confederate  prisoners  and  in  daytime  helping  his  father 
hury  the  southern  soldiers  who  had  succumbed  during  the  preceding  24 
hours. 

B.  Frank  Knox  conducted  the  undertaking  establishment  until  his  death, 
Dec.  28,  1914,  as  the  result  of  an  injury  in  an  automobile  accident.  Then  the 
business  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  son,  Harry  T.  Knox,  who  now  owns  and 
manages  it. 

The  three  generations  that  have  conducted  the  Knox  mortuary  estab- 
lishment have  witnessed  remarkable  changes.  The  village  of  the  40's,  where 
the  business  was  started,  has  grown  to  a  city.  The  crudities  of  pioneer  days 
have  given  way  to  the  refinements  of  the  twentieth  century.  The  under- 
taking business  has  passed  from  its  inception  through  the  era  of  the  slow 
and  unpretentious  horse-drawn  hearse  to  the  ornate  and  swift  motor  funeral 
car  of  today. 

In  all  the  changes  in  its  lousiness  the  Knox  Mortuary  has  been  among 
the  pioneers.  The  late  B.  Frank  Knox  was  one  of  the  first  licensed  embalmers 
in  Illinois.  He  was  among  the  first  to  discontinue  the  use  of  ice  and  intro- 
duce embalming  fluid.  He  adopted  arterial  embalming  as  soon  as  its  success 
was  demonstrated. 

Long  ago  the  original  building  used  in  the  business  was  torn  down  and 
more  commodious  quarters  provided.  Fifteen  years  ago  a  mortuary  chapel 
was  added,  and  is  now  used  exclusively  for  funeral  services. 

The  Knox  family  always  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  political  and 
social  afiairs.  Charles  B.  Knox  served  as  coroner,  supervisor  and  alderman, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  captains  of  the  volunteer  fire  department.  B.  Frank 
Knox  was  chief  of  the  volunteer  fire  department  in  1886  and  1887.  later  serv- 
ing as  alderman  from  the  fifth  ward  and  was  mayor  of  Rock  Island  three 
terms,  being  elected  in  1895,  1901  and  1903. 

Harry  T.  Knox  has  learned  the  business  from  the  ground  up.  Like  his 
father,  he  grew  up  in  it,  has  a  natural  aptitude  for  it,  and  is  ever  alert  to  learn 
and  apply  betterments  in  his  line  of  work.  During  the  World  War  he  was 
in  the  aviation  service,  serving  with  the  612th  Aerial  Squadron,  which  trained 
at  Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  later  had  charge  of  aviation  training 
work  at  the  general  supply  depot  at  Fairfield,  Ohio. 

It  is  the  fond  hope  of  the  present  owner  that  the  Knox  Mortuary  will 
sometime  pass  into  the  hands  of  the  fourth  generation  of  the  family,  Harry 
T.  Knox,  Jr.,  whose  portrait  accompanies  this  sketch. 


216 


k  (  )  e"  K 


1    S    L  A    X    I)       A    R   S    I-:    X   A 


Rock  Island  Rejxister  Company 

Founded  upon  a  sound,  practical  idea.  I^uilded  w  itli  painstaking  care 
and  fidelity  to  correct  business  principles,  the  Rock  Island  Register  Com- 
pany in  a  dozen  years  has  grown  until  it  now  stands  ])ractically  without  com- 
petition in  the  middle  west  in  the  manufacture  of  warm  air  registers. 

"Xo  Streak"  is  the  Registered  Trade  Mark.  Formerly  the  wall  register 
used  in  warm  air  heating  was  objected  to  because  of  leakage  of  air.  which 
carried  dust  up  the  wall  and  in  time  caused  streaks.  The  idea  of  the  founders 
of  the  Rock  Island   Register  Company  was  a  device  to  i)re\ent  this  leakage. 


7         ^      ^^r  ym  "^ 


;:  patented  interlapi)ing  slip  joint  that  made  a  tight  connection,  and  forced 
all  the  warm  air  out  into  the  room  away  from  the  wall.  Xo  com])Ctitor  ever 
has  been  able  to  im])rove  upon  or  even  ecpial  it. 

The  Rock  Island  Register  Com])any  is  distinctly  a  Rock  Island  concern. 
J.  |.  Burgess  and  S.  \\  Burgess,  brothers,  and  natives  of  the  city,  invented 
the  register,  and  established  the  business  in  1910.  In  1911  they 
formed  a  corporation  in  which  ( ieorge  Harms  and  W.  ( i.  Harms  became 
interested.  In  1915  they  erected  their  first  building,  which  was  quickly 
•  aitgrown  and  two  additions  were  made.  Xo  more  ground  room  being  avail- 
able, they  built  the  present  factory  building  at  Fifth  avenue  and  Twenty- 
fifth  street.  This  building  is  three  stories  and  basement,  and  has  32.000 
feet  of  floor  si)ace.     I*"orty  men  are  em])loyed. 

I'roin  the  beginning  the  com])any  has  maintained  a  high  standard  for  its 
product.  During  the  war  it  installed  heating  plants  in  460  government-built 
houses  in  Rock  Island.  Moline  and  Fast  Moline,  and  there  never  has  been 
a  complaint.  It  was  the  best  work  of  its  kind,  government  housing  official? 
said,  that  was  done  anywhere  in  the  United  States. 

Distribution  of  the  Rock  Island  register  is  now  national  in  scoi)e. 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R  S   E   N  A  L  217 

The  Rock  Island  Mfg.  Company 

In  diversity  of  output  the  Kock  Island  Mfg.  Company  probably  ranks 
among  Tri-City  manufacturing  concerns  next  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal.  More 
than  five  hundred  dififerent  articles  are  listed  in  its  catalogues.  Hardware, 
electrical  and  farm  specialties  are  its  chief  products.  Vises  constitute  the 
largest  single  item.  From  thirty  to  forty  per  cent  of  the  vises  used  by  the 
armies  of  the  United  States  and  its  allies  during  the  World  War  were  made 
by  this  concern. 

The  history  of  the  Rock  Island  Mfg.  Company  goes  back  scarcely  a 
dozen  years.  In  1909  it  was  organized  under  the  leadership  of  Carl  E. 
Shields,  who  has  served  continuously  since  as  president  and  treasurer.  The 
assets  of  the  former  Rock  Island  1\hA  Company  were  purchased,  and  the 
plant  at  First  street  and  Fifteenth  avenue.  Rock  Island,  was  taken  over. 
Vises  had  been  the  main  ])roduct  of  the  Tool  Company,  which  employed 
thirty  to  forty  men.  and  occupied  twenty  thousand  feet  of  floor  space. 
Manufacture  was  resumed  on  an  enlarged  scale.  New  markets  were  found, 
and  the  variety  of  products  enlarged  to  meet  growing  demands.  Feed  grind- 
ing mills,  emery  grinding  tools,  stock  fountains  and  a  line  of  hand  farming 
tools  were  produced,  principal  attention  being  paid  to  the  needs  of  the 
agricultural  communities.  Within  two  years  manufacture  of  sad  irons  was 
undertaken  on  a  large  scale,  and  this  company  is  now  conceded  to  be  the 
largest  single  producer  of  sad  irons  in  the  world.  Popular  automobile 
specialties  were  later  added,  and  in  1918.  the  Loetcher-Ryan  Mfg.  Company, 
of  Dubuque.  Iowa,  was  absorbed  and  its  factory  equipment  removed  to  Rock 
Island.  This  made  possible  the  manufacture  of  electrical  specialties,  electric 
irons  principally,  at  first.  Other  items  have  been  added  and  the  list  is  still 
growing. 

Before  this  country  entered  the  World  A\'ar  the  Rock  Island  Mfg. 
Company  supplied  vises  in  large  numljers  to  [uigland  and  her  allies.  Sev- 
eral shipments  lie  at  the  bottom  of  the  Atlantic,  sent  there  !)y  German  sub- 
marines. When  our  soldiers  were  in  training  they  shot  at  targets  the 
metal  castings  of  which  were  produced  by  this  company.  For  several  weeks 
the  foundry  was  employed  exclusively  in  tilling  a  rush  order  from  Rock 
Island  Arsenal  to  supply  all  cantonments  in  the  United  States  with  targets. 

In  the  beginning  the  sales  of  the  Rock  Island  Mfg.  Company  totaled 
less  than  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  a  year.  Now  they  normally  run  more 
than  a  million  annually,  and  there  has  been  a  healthy  increase  in  every  year, 
save  one.  Shop  expansion  has  l)een  necessary,  twelve  acres  of  land  now 
owned  by  the  company  insuring  sufticient  room  for  the  future.  In  the  reac- 
tion following  the  war  boom,  the  scale  of  operations  w^as  temporarily  reduced, 
but  the  factory  never  has  been  closed.  Neither  have  products  been  cheapened 
to  stimulate  sales.  Only  standard  quality  goods  are  made.  Floor  space 
has  been  increased  to  150,000  feet,  and  250  men  are  employed. 


218 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  219 

Villa  de  Chantal 

Rock  Island  has  a  widely  patronized  school  for  girls  and  young  ladies 
in  Villa  de  Chantal,  conducted  by  the  Sisters  of  the  Visitation,  a 
Catholic  order  of  long  standing  and  high  achievement.  It  occupies  a 
magnificent  site  on  the  bluff  overlooking  the  city  and  Davenport,  and 
unfolding  a  panorama  of  the  Mississippi  valley  for  miles  in  each  direction. 

The  Order  of  the  Visitation  was  founded  in  France  more  than  three 
hundred  years  ago.  Its  rules  and  traditions  tend  to  encourage  that  spirit 
of  refinement,  simplicity  and  self-sacrifice  which  peculiarly  fits  its  members 
for  the  training  of  young  girls. 

Founded  in  1864,  in  Maysville,  Ky.,  as  Francis  de  Sales  Academy, 
the  school  was  removed  to  Rock  Island  in  1899.  Already  widely  known  for 
the  quality  of  its  work  and  drawing  pupils  from  many  states,  in  its  new  home 
it  found  a  broader  field  and  shortly  became  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 
college  preparatory  institutions. 

The  academy  building  is  surrounded  by  fifteen  acres  of  land,  mostly 
level  and  sloping  away  on  three  sides,  with  a  precii)itate  drop  toward  the 
city  at  the  north,  line  site  is  exceptionally  well  adapted  to  landscaping  and 
for  purposes  of  outdoor  recreation.  Walks  and  drives  have  been  laid  about 
the  grounds,  the  natural  forest  growth  supplemented  with  a  variety  of  other 
trees  and  shrubber_v,  and  la\\ns  and  courts  installed  for  the  games  and 
amusements  in  which  girls   delight  to  take  part. 

The  course  of  study  embraces  academic,  intermediary  and  primary 
departments.  The  academic  department  offers  two  courses,  one  general  and 
the  other  college  {preparatory.  Recognition  that  of  all  the  arts  music 
is  the  most  subtle  and  far-reaching  in  its  eft'ects,  and  that  its  influence  is  most 
pronounced  in  refining-  and  broadening  the  tastes  of  those  who  study  it,  the 
school  always  has  laid  particular  stress  upon  this  branch  of  its  work.  The 
department  for  both  vocal  and  instrumental  instruction  is  under  the  direc- 
tion of  graduates  of  the  leading  conservatories  of  the  country.  The  piano, 
organ,  guitar,  harp,  mandolin  and  violin  are  taught  by  competent  instructors. 
The  department  of  elocution  is  under  the  supervision  of  a  graduate  of  one 
of  the  best  known  schools  of  oratory.  Foreign  languages  are  taught  by  ac- 
complished linguists.  Aesthetic  culture  and  daily  physical  exercises,  which 
promote  gracefulness  of  carriage  and  the  habit  of  true  politeness,  receive 
special  care. 

Axilla  de  Chantal  is  centrally  located  and  easily  accessible  from  all 
parts  of  the  Tri-City  connnunity.  Thus  it  is  enabled  to  serve  many  day 
pupils  who  live  within  a  radius  of  a  few  miles.  Though  the  school  is  con- 
ducted by  a  Catholic  order,  pupils  of  all  denominations  are  received.  Two 
free  scholarships  are  maintained  and  medals  are  aw^arded  for  high  standing 
in  certain  lines  of  work.  The  school  library  is  one  of  the  most  complete  in 
the  state. 


220 


ROCK       1   S    1.   A    X    I)       ARSE   X   A   L 


St.  Ambrose  College 

St.  Anil)rt)se  College.  Davenport,  was  founded  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  James 
McMullen.  D.  D..  first  bishoj)  of  Davenport,  in  the  year  1882.  and  was 
incori)orated  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Iowa  on  October  6.  1885.  The 
present  ofiicers  of  the  corporation  are:  Rt.  Rev.  James  Davis.  D.  D..  presi- 
dent: \'ery  Rev.  J.  T.  A.  Flannagan.  vice-president;  \'ery  Rev.  William 
E.  llannon.  secretary  and  treasurer. 

It  is  a  Catholic  college  devoted  to  the  cause  of  Christian  education.    The 

institution  owes  its 
existence  to  the  con- 
viction that  in  the 
education  of  young 
men  best  results  are 
ol)tained  where  the 
imi)ortance  of  the 
religious  element  in 
training  is  recogniz- 
ed and  respected. 
St.  Ambrose  offers 
the  regular  college 
and  high  s  c  h  o  o  1 
courses.  A  large  en- 
dowment insures  a 
high  standard  of  in- 
struction and  equip- 
ment. \'ery  Rev. 
\\m.  L.  Hanni)n  is 
president  in  charge 
of   the   institution. 


Da\U  Hall,  .Men's  New  Donnitur) 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


221 


St.  Katharine's  School 

(Jccupying  a  wooded  knoll  in  the  heart  of  the  residential  part  of  Daven- 
[)ort,  overlooking"  the  Mississippi,  St.  Katharine's  School  for  girls  and 
young  women  is  set  amidst  ideal  surroundings.  Conducted  by  the  Sisters 
of  St.  Mary,  an  I^piscopal  order,  this  institution  offers  unexcelled  opportu- 
nities for  the  study  of  music,  dramatics  and  art,  and  has  l^een  most  successful 
in  prei)aration  of  its  students   for  entrance  to  eastern   colleges   for  women. 


Group  of  St.  Katharine's  School  B'lildings 

Its  work  is  conducted  by  se\en  Sisters,  twenty-two  instructors,  all  college 
graduates,  a  physical  instructor  and  a  nurse.  Cirls  of  all  denominations  are 
welcomed  as  students. 

St.  Katharine's  School  was  opened  September  24,  1884.  Its  establish- 
ment was  made  possible  by  a  legacy  from  the  estate  of  Miss  Sarah  I'.urr,  left 
to  Griswold  College  for  the  purpose  of  founding  in  the  diocese  of  Icnva  a 
church  school  for  girls.  A  building  and  live  acres  of  ground  were  purchased. 
Bishop  Perry  presided  at  the  opening  ceremonies.  An  addition  to  the 
building  was  made  in  1885. 

Until  1902  the  school  was  conducted  by  Miss  luuma  Rice,  later  Mrs. 
J.  J.  Richardson,  as  preceptress.  Then  it  was  turned  over  to  the  Sisters 
of  St.  Mary,  wdiose  chief  work  is  education.  During  the  summer  of  1902 
ihe  chapel  and  gymnasium  were  built.  In  1907  three  acres  of  land  adjoining 
the  school  pro])erty,  \\-ith  the  buildings  thereon,  were  acquired. 

St.  Katharine's  is  not  conducted  for  i)ecuniary  proht.  A  few  generous 
bequests  and  a  modest  endowment  provided  by  its  friends  have  made  its 
expansion  possible.  Six  scholarships  to  defray  tuition  of  deserving  girls 
needing  financial  assistance  are  jjrovided. 

Perhaps  the  best  testimonial  to  the  character  of  St.  Katharine's  is  to  be 
found  in  its  list  of  alumnae,  which  is  made  up  of  members  of  leading  families 
of  Iowa,  as  well  as  from  many  other  states,  east  and  west. 


Ill 


RUCK       IS   L  A  X  D       A  R  S   1£   N  A  L 


Rock  Island  Transfer  &  Storage  Company 

\\  arelit'using  has  come  in  the  last  few  years  to  assume  a  degree  of 
importance  hitherto  imdreamed  of.  Changes  in  methods  of  handling  mer- 
chandise and  household  goods,  improved  facilities  for  storing,  and  above 
all.  the  development  t)f  the  motor  truck,  ottering  cpiicker  and  more  efficient 
transport  on  short  hauls,  have  helped  to  bring  this  business  to  the  front. 

Though  a  comparati\  ely  ticw  concern,  the  Rock  Island  Transfer  tS:  Stor- 
age Company  occupies  a  position  of  leadership  in  its  field  in  the  Tri-City 


community,  with  a  new  $125,000  plant  and  with  facilities  to  meet  every  de- 
mand incident  to  the  warehousing  business.  March  27.  1917.  the  company 
was  incorporated.  At  that  time  its  equipment  was  limited  to  six  teams  and 
wagons,  and  it  rented  modest  quarters  on  West  Seventeenth  street. 

The  company's  new  home  at  First  avenue  and  Seventeenth  street  was 
formally  opened  June  20,  1922.  It  is  a  four-story  building,  of  heavy  vitrified 
brick  construction,  and  so  arranged  as  to  make  possible  the  erection  of  two 
additional  stories.  The  main  building  is  77.\110  feet,  with  garage  adjoining. 
73x110  feet,  the  latter  being  part  one  and  part  two-story.  Latest  ideas  in 
warehouse  construction  were  incori)orated  ;  efficient  handling,  safe  storage 
and  adequate  fire  ])rotection  being  leading  objccti\es. 

Equii)ment  now  includes  half  a  dozen  trucks,  more  than  a  score  of 
horses  and  many  wagons.  Moving  and  hauling,  packing,  crating  and  storing 
of  household  goods  and  storing  and  distributing  merchandise  are  among  the 
company's  activities. 

B.  L.  Burke  is  president  and  treasurer,  N.  B.  Gosline  vice-president  and 
secretary  and  Loyal  Robb  superintendent  of  the  concern. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


223 


Augustana  Book  Concern 


The  Lutheran  publishing  plant,  known  as  the  Augustana  Book  Concern, 
was  established  in  Rock  Island  in  the  80"s.  At  first  a  small  private  printing 
shop  and  bookstore,  it  was  purchased  in  1889  by  the  Augustana  Synod  of 
North  America  and  made  the  official  publishing  house  of  that  Synod.  As  such 
the   business  has   developed   from  a  modest   store   and   shop   to   its   present 


uf  Augustana  H,,.,k  r,„„,-,,i 


capacity — an  establishment  fully  equipped  in  every  department  of  a  modern 
printing  and  publishing  plant,  and  showing  an  annual  turnover  of  more 
than  $280,000.00. 

The  output  per  year  may  be  indicated  by  the  following  totals  for  the 
last  calendar  year:  The  number  of  copies  of  books  and  pamphlets  printed 
in  1921  was  210,850,  half  of  which  were  new,  the  balance  reprints.  The 
average  number  of  copies  of  periodicals  printed,  counting  one  issue  of  each, 
exceeds  100,000.  Since  its  establishment  in  1889  the  Augustana  Book  Concern 
has  printed  5,014,130  copies  of  books,  tracts,  pamphlets  and  sheet  music. 

The  business  management  consists  of  an  elective  board  and  an  executive 
head.  Mr.  A.  G.  Anderson  has  served  as  manager  since  the  founding  of  the 
synodical  publishing  house  thirty-three  years  ago,  and  several  heads  of 
departments  have  served  the  same  length  of  time.  In  point  of  volume  of 
business  done  annually,  the  Augustana  Book  Concern  ranks  well  to  the 
front  among  commercial  establishments  in  the  city  of  Rock  Island,  and 
the  postal  revenues  of  this  city  are  largely  derived  from  this  source. 


224 


R    (  )    ( "    In 


1    S    LA    X    I) 


S    !•:   X   A   L 


K.H  k  blan.l  Fu.1  (. 


Rock  Island  Fuel  Company 

During^  the  winter  of  1917-18,  when  the  United  States  Fuel  Administra- 
tioti  \\a<  ill  charsre  of  distribution  of  coal,  the   Rock  Island   Fuel   Company 

l)layed  a  \  cry  important  i)art  in  looking 
after  the  comfort  of  the  community. 

During"  this  severe  pcriixl  a  coal 
famine  existed.  There  was  very  little 
coal  of  any  kind  for  domestic  or  steam 
use.  and  what  little  did  arrive  was 
quickly  consimied.  The  Rock  Island 
Fuel  (dmpany.  using  every  possible 
resource,  managed  to  secure  enough 
fuel  to  avert  real  suffering.  Besides 
taking  care  of  its  own  trade,  it  furnish- 
ed fuel  to  other  dealers.  It  was  at 
times  necessary  to  route  shijjnicnts  through  distant  points  because  of  exist- 
ing embargoes. 

In  emergencies  the  Rock  Island  Fuel  Company  has  never  failed  to 
supply  the  needs  of  the  community.  This  company,  the  (ddest  and 
largest  exclusive  fuel  concern  in  the  three  cities,  enjoys  a  wide  prestige 
because  of  the  high  qualit\-  of  the  fuels  handled  and  the  excellent  service  it 
renders. 

The  business  was  started  in  1880.  by  William  Hubers.  who  at  that  time 
dealt  principally  in  wood.     From  a  small  beginning  the  business  developed 

quickly,  and    in    1889  the    Rock    Island  

Fuel  Company  was  incorporated  \\ith 
William  Hubers  as  ])resident.  Mr. 
Hubers  has  remained  at  the  head  of  the 
compan}^  and  still  takes  an  active  hand 
in  the  business. 


Today  the  company  has  yards  in 
all  three  cities,  and  handles  on  the 
average  about  100.000  tons  of  fuel  a 
year.  The  company  maintains  a  fleet 
of  trucks  besides  many  teams,  has  its 
own  blacksmith  and  rei)air  shops  and 
other  facilities  f(.r  the  efficient  handling  of  the  business.  Besides  its  large 
storage  yards  in  Davenport  and  Moline.  the  company  has  its  great  gravity 
bins  in  Rock  Island,  which  are  capable  of  holding  six  thousand  tons  at  one 
time. 


if  Gravity  Bins 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


225 


Rock  Island  Wood  Works 

Founded  as  an  adjunct  to  sawmills  of  the  vicinity  when  the  lumber 
business  on  the  Mississippi  river  was  at  its  zenith,  the  Rock  Island  Wood 
Works  has  survived  the  days  of  the  log  raft,  the  screeching  saw  and  the 

fragrant  lumber  pile  in  its  home  city 
and  has  become  a  permanent  concern. 
Able  business  management  and  high  stand- 
ards maintained  in  cjuality  of  output  have 
contributed  to  its  success. 

Starting  as  a  partnership  with  William 
Roth  and  C.  J.  Schreiner  as  owners,  the 
original  name  was  the  Variety  Wood 
Works.  That  was  in  1891.  Mr.  Schreiner's 
death  late  in  the  nineties  led  to  the  pur- 
chase of  the  Schreiner  interests  by  Mr. 
Roth  in  1901,  and  the  incorporation  of  the 
present   company. 

The  first  factory  building  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  Eleventh  street  and  Sixth 
avenue  was  soon  outgrown  and  additions 
were  made.  Soon  after  incorporating  the 
company  secured  the  land  on  the  corner 
diagonally  opposite  the  plant  and  erected 
thereon  the  present  office  and  warehouses. 


William  Roth,  one  of  the  Founders  of  the 
Rock  Island  Wood  Works 


The  company  manufactures  no  stock 
goods,  working  only  on  architects'  or 
builders'  specifications,  and  has  an  en- 
viable reputation  for  the  high  class  of 
its  product.  Its  millwork  has  been  used  in 
some  of  the  best  buildings  in  the  three 
cities,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  the 
Rock  Island  postoffice,  court  house,  Central 
Trust  &  Savings  bank,  Peoples  bank.  Fort 
Armstrong  theatre,  the  Washington  and 
Audubon  schools,  the  Capitol  theatre  in 
Davenport  and  the  Reliance  building  in 
Moline. 

On  the  death  of  William  Roth,  early 
in  1922,  his  son,  G.  William  Roth  succeeded 
him  as  president  and  treasurer.  Walter  F. 
Roth  is  vice-president  and  Max  Helpenstell 
secretary  of  the  company. 


G.  William  Roth,  Present  Head  of  Company 


226 


R  O   C   K        I    S    L  A   X   I)       A    K   S    !•:    X   A    I. 


Beder  Woo(1's  Sons  Company 

Forty-six  years  ago  Beder  \\\>()d,  of  Moline.  had  sufficient  vision  to 
see  a  future  in  the  sand  business,  and  out  of  that  vision  grrew  the  flourishing 
industry   now    conducted    by    Beder   Wood's    Sons    Company,   operating   an 

equipment  capable  of  handling  600  tons  of 
sand  and  gravel  daily,  besides  large  quanti- 
ties of   fuel   and   building  material. 

Concrete  was  unknown  in  this  country 
in  1876.  Sand  was  used  in  relatively  small 
quantities  and  gravel  not  at  all  in  construc- 
tion    projects. 

The  ri\er  then,  a?  now.  offered  tlic  most 
a\ailable  supply  of  clean  sand,  but  the 
method  of  getting  it  out  of  the  stream  and 
onto  the  banks  ready  for  use  was  crude  and 
involved  a  great  deal  of  labor. 

W  hen  Mr.  W dod  began  dealing  in  sand 
he  obtained  it  by  shoveling  it  from  bars 
onto  barges.  Tlic  barges  were  poled  from 
the  l)ank  at  tlie  foot  of  Sixteenth  street. 
where  his  first  yard  was  located,  up  the 
ri\er  to  the  nearest  bar.  and  when  loaded 
Beder  Wood.  Foun.ier  wcre  rctumed  to  the  starting  po'uU  by  the 

same  method.  Lse  of  steam  power  to  propel  the  craft  and  pump  the  sand 
had  nt)t  been  thought  of.  \\'hen  the  stage  of  the  river  was  high  and  bars 
were  covered  with  water  it  was  necessary  to  use  long-handled  shovels,  and 
the  task  was  unusually  arduous  and  slow. 

Mr.  Wood  had  not  followed  the  sand  business  long  before  he  began 
to  cast  about  for  better  and  more  economical  ways  to  handle  his  product. 
The  centrifugal  pump  was  then  in  use.  but  it  ne\  er  had  been  adapted  to  the 
raising  of  sand.  Mr.  \\'(^od  set  about  applying  it  to  this  use.  and  after 
much  exj)erimenting  and  a  number  of  failures,  succeeded  in  getting  the 
desired  results.  He  built  the  steamboat  Kdna  and  rigged  it  up  with  an 
equipment  which  has  been  the  model  for  manufacturers  of  sand  pumping 
machinery  ever  since.  This  was  done  in  the  early  80's.  his  pump  being  the 
first  one  used  in  the  business  on  the   Mississippi   ri\er. 

Ciravel  did  not  come  into  general  use  till  the  90's  and  then  there  was 
some  opposition  to  it  as  a  substitute  for  crushed  stone,  which  Mr.  Wood 
labored  to  overcome,  (iravel  now  is  sold  in  much  greater  quantities  than 
sand,  having  to  a  large  extent  displaced  crushed  stone  in  concrete  construc- 
tion. 

In  1902  the  business  was  removed  from  .sixteenth  street  to  its  i)resent 
location,  the  site  of  the  old  Keator  sawmill  on  I-".ightecnth  street,  where  two 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


227 


half  blocks  are  now  covered  by  yards  and  Iniildings.  Modern  bins  and 
docks  have  been  built,  and  improved  machinery  installed  for  washing, 
screening,  grading  and  handling  gravel  and  sand. 

The  firm  has  built  practically  all  its  own  boats  and  barges.  Its 
fleet  now  consists  of  the  steel-hulled  towboat,  Beder  Wood,  a  pump  boat, 
coal  boat,  spud  boat  and  nine  barges.  It  owns  gravel  pits  at  Hampton  and 
below  the  mouth  of  the  Aleredosia,  20  miles  above  Moline.  ( )n  shore  the 
firm  operates  from  ten  to  forty  trucks  and  teams,  the  number  \arying  with 


Upper  left — Towboat  Beiler  Wooii.      Lipper  right  —Pump  boat  in  ai-tion.      Lower  left      Unloading  barge  at  wharf. 
Lower  right — Part  of  land  equipment  of  Beder  Wood's  Sons  Company. 

the  season.  Much  of  its  gravel  and  sand  is  shipped  to  inland  points  within 
a  radius  of  100  miles.  A  full  line  of  building  materials,  including  brick, 
cement,  tile,  etc.,  is  carried,  and  an  extensive  retail  coal  business  is  done. 
When  not  otherwise  employed  its  boats  do  a  general  towing  business. 

Beder  Wood,  Sr.,  died  in  1914.  Since  that  time  the  business  has  been 
conducted  by  his  sons,  Beder  Wood.  Jr.,  and  Benjamin  Wood.  During  the 
AVorld  War  large  quantities  of  sand  and  gravel  were  supplied  for  construc- 
tion work  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  the  War  Department  always  having 
priority  in  the  filling  of  orders. 


228 


ROCK       I   S   I 


A    X    I)       A    R   S    1-:    X   A 


The  Rol)insons.  Pioneer  Bankers  and  City  Builders 

Among  the  men  who  gave  impetus  to  Rock  Island's  early  grituth.  none 
was  more  active  or  interested  in  a  greater  diversity  of  enterprises  than  the 
late  Capt.  Thomas  J.  Robinson.    He  and  his  son.  the  late  James  F.  Robinson. 

who  continued  his  father's  work  during  the 
few  years  that  he  was  spared  to  do  so,  ac- 
cumulated extensive  property  holdings, 
now  administered  as  the  Robinson  estate 
by  Mrs.  J.  F.  Robinson. 

Capt.  Robinson  was  of  New  England 
birth  and  training.  Born  in  Maine,  in  1818, 
he  made  his  own  way  from  his  early  teens, 
when  he  learned  the  cooper's  trade.  Com- 
ing west  at  the  age  of  twenty,  he  taught 
school,  clerked  on  a  river  steamer  and 
finally  took  up  farming  near  Hillsdale,  in 
Rock  Island  county.  Three  years  later  he 
removed  to  Port  Byron,  where  he  conducted 
a  retail  store  for  five  years,  and  then  in 
1853  came  to  Rock  Island.  With  his  sav- 
ings he  bought  from  Judge  John  W. 
Spencer  an  interest  in  the  Davenport  & 
Rock  Island  Ferry  company  and  took 
charge   of   the   business,   acquiring   in    that 

connection  the  title  of  "Captain."  by  which 

he  was  known  thereafter. 

The  young  captain  lost  no  time  in  re- 
placing with  steam  the  horse  power  then 
used  in  operating  the  ferry.  In  less  than 
a  decade  he  had  become  full  owner  of  the 
enterprise,  of  which  he  remained  in  con- 
trol until  his  death. 

Capt.  Robinson  always  had  supreme 
faith  in  the  future  of  the  Tri-Cities.  Act- 
ing on  the  belief  that  they  were  destined  to 
became  a  great  industrial  center,  he  exerted 
his  energies  and  invested  his  capital  in 
promoting  home  enterprises.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Rock  Island  Stove 
Company,  the  Rock  Island  Glass  Company, 
and  many  other  concerns  which  flourished 
in  the  early  days.  Seeing  in  an  eastern 
city  a  street  railway  in  operation,  he  re- 
turned home  and  set  to  wrtrk  to  ]>rovide  a  j.f.  Robinson 


Ca|il.  T.  J.  Kubinsuii 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  229 

similar  utility  here.  As  a  result,  the  line  between  Rock  Island  and  Moline, 
which  became  the  nucleus  of  the  properties  of  the  present  Tri-City  Railway 
Company,  was  built.  No  other  man  in  the  community  worked  harder  to 
secure  congressional  legislation  for  the  establishing  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal 
than  he.  He  spent  much  time  and  money  interesting  national  law  makers  in 
the  building  of  the  Hennepin  canal  as  the  link  in  a  water  route  between 
the  Great  Lakes  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  He  was  a  leading  promoter  of 
the  railroad  line  between  Rock  Island  and  St.  Louis,  which  is  now  operated 
by  the  Burlington  as  its  St.  Louis  division.  In  connection  with  Weyer- 
haeuser &  Denkmann,  Rock  Island  lumbermen,  he  backed  enterprises  for 
the  development  of  the  lumber  industry  in  Wisconsin. 

In  1871  Capt.  Robinson  founded  the  Rock  Island  National  Bank.  He 
became  its  president,  holding  the  office  till  his  death,  and  made  it  one  of 
the  strongest  financial  institutions  in  western  Illinois.  The  supreme  test  of 
his  business  career  came  in  1873,  when  the  stability  of  his  bank  was  threat- 
ened by  the  resumption  of  specie  payment,  ordered  by  President  Grant. 
Many  persons  now  living  recall  the  panic  of  1873,  in  which  only  the  strongest 
business  concerns  survived.  The  "Robinson  bank,"  as  the  Rock  Island 
National  was  generally  known,  came  through  unscathed,  but  its  president 
staked  every  resource  he  possessed  in  winning  the  fight.  To  provide  a 
home  for  the  bank  the  Robinson  building  at  Second  avenue  and  Eighteenth 
street,  one  of  the  landmarks  of  the  business  district,  was  constructed. 

Upon  the  death  of  Capt.  Robinson,  April  12,  1899,  his  son,  J.  F. 
Robinson,  who  was  his  sole  heir,  succeeded  him  as  president  of  the  Rock 
Island  National  Bank.  In  December,  1899,  the  Central  Trust  &  Savings 
Bank  was  organized,  with  Mr.  Robinson  president,  and  occupying  quarters 
jointly  with  the  Rock  Island  National.  Later  the  two  banks  were  merged 
under  the  name  of  the  younger  institution. 

James  F.  Robinson  was  born  in  Rock  Island  county,  February  27,  1849. 
Upon  completion  of  his  schooling,  which  included  a  classical  course  at 
Northwestern  University,  he  became  cashier  of  the  Rock  Island  National 
Bank,  a  position  which  he  held  for  25  years.     He  died  May  23,  1902. 

The  younger  Mr.  Robinson  was  a  man  of  scholarly  tastes.  Like  his 
father,  he  led  a  most  exemplary  life,  had  no  fear  of  hard  work  and  earned 
a  reputation  for  dealing  honestly  and  fairly  with  his  fellows.  Under  his 
management  the  properties  he  inherited  prospered,  and  he  added  to  them 
by  engaging  in  new  enterprises.  He  always  had  at  heart  the  best  interests 
of  his  home  city. 

Both  father  and  son  were  affiliated  with  and  actively  supported  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Both  gave  liberally  in  aid  of  schools  and 
charitable  institutions,  and  devoted  large  sums  to  the  relief  of  the  needy. 

J.  F.  Robinson  was  married  in  1879  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Rhoads,  of  Pekin, 
111.    Two  daughters  were  born  to  the  union,  but  both  died  in  infancy. 


230 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


Leading  Rock  Island  Merchant 

Credit  for  Rock  Island's  high  standiiii^  as  a  merchandising  center  is 
due  in  large  measure  to  the  late  L.  S.  McCabe.  For  forty-five  years 
actively  engaged  in  the  retail  business  in  the  city,  his  energy,  enterprise 
and  fair  dealing  built  up  a  patronage  extending  many  miles  beyond  the  city's 


borflers  and  heli)ed  in  no  small  degree  to  bring  ])ros])erily  to  tliose  engaged 
in  other  lines  of  trade.  Mr.  McCabe  .always  had  great  faith  in  the  com- 
munity. Combined  with  his  rare  ability  as  a  merchant  was  an  unusual 
insight  into  the  motives  which  actuated  the  Imying  public  and  a  belief  in 
the  power  of  constant,  truthful  advertising.  The  ])ublicity  he  obtained 
for  his  enterprise  was  backed  by  dependable  got)ds  and  honest  service. 

L.  S.  McCabe  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  New  York.  December  11. 
1846,  and  died  in  Rock  Island  Se])teml)er  26.  1915.     (  )n  coming  west  in  1868, 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  231 

he  taught  school  for  two  years  in  Drury  township,  the  late  Judge  William 
H.  Gest  being  county  superintendent  at  that  time. 

The  first  McCabe  store,  located  at  what  is  now  Second  avenue  and  Six- 
teenth street,  was  opened  October  5,  1870,  its  stock  consisting  of  drygoods 
and  household  necessities.  Even  in  that  early  day  the  young  merchant 
saw  the  advantage  of  creating  separate  departments  for  the  sale  of  different 
classes  of  goods,  which  later  became  the  plan  of  merchandising  in  all  the 
larger  establishments.  He  also  realized  the  possibilities  of  economy  in 
larger  buying  for  a  number  of  business  enterprises,  and  as  soon  as  he  had 
sufficient  capital  he  opened  other  stores,  cities  in  which  he  operated  including 
Davenport,  Muscatine  and  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  and  Chicago  and  Ottawa,  Illi- 
nois. Growth  of  his  business  in  his  home  city,  however,  demanded  so  much 
of  his  time  and  attention  that  eventually  he  closed  out  all  branches  and  center- 
ed his  resources  in  Rock  Island.  There  he  built  up  a  truly  metropolitan 
department  store,  wdiich,  during  the  later  years  of  his  life,  was  recognized 
as  a  leader  in  the  Tri-City  field. 

Early  in  his  career  Mr.  McCabe  began  acquiring  real  estate  in  the 
business  district  of  the  city.  The  Gay  ford  lilock  on  Second  avenue,  between 
Seventeenth  and  Eighteenth  streets,  the  present  Second  avenue  home  of  the 
L.  S.  McCabe  c^  Co.  store,  was  his  first  purchase.  Adding  to  his  holdings 
from  time  to  time,  he  ultimately  became  the  largest  individual  owner  of 
business  property  in  the  city  of  Rock  Island.  In  1899  the  present  company 
was  incorporated  and  the  following  year  the  Third  avenue  building,  with 
80,000  feet  of  floor  space,  was  erected,  providing  a  store  one  block  in  length, 
with  entrances  on  two  avenues.  Since  his  death  the  business  has  been  con- 
tinued by  the  company  bearing  his  name. 

While  a  master  of  detail  and  always  in  close  touch  with  every  branch 
of  his  business  establishment,  Mr.  McCabe  never  permitted  himself  to 
become  wdiolly  absorbed  in  it.  His  abundant  energies  always  sought  addi- 
tional outlets,  and  as  a  result  be  became  identified  with  various  undertakings 
outside  of  the  retail  field.  He  was  vice-president  and  director  of  the  Moline 
Central  street  railway,  one  of  the  first  in  the  west  to  be  electrified.  He 
helped  to  lay  out  Prospect  Park.  He  was  president  of  the  Rock  Island 
Safety  Deposit  Company,  builder  of  the  Safety  building,  and  of  the  Colonial 
Hotel  Company,  being  owner  of  the  site  of  the  building,  now  known  as  the 
Como  hotel.  H,e  was  an  organizer  and  an  officer  of  the  Central  Trust  & 
Savings  bank.  He  was  interested  in  agriculture,  owning  several  fine  farms 
on  which  he  raised  blooded  Angus  cattle. 

In  religious,  social  and  political  affairs  Mr.  McCabe  was  also  deeply 
interested.  In  1902  he  w^as  elected  state  senator  to  represent  the  Thirty- 
third  district,  serving  one  term  of  four  years  and  declining  re-election. 

Mr.  McCabe  was  married  to  Miss  Marion  V.  Reck,  August  30,  1888.  He 
is  survived  by  the  widow  and  three  daughters,  the  Misses  Dorothy  Clay. 
Alarguerite  Baxter  and  Marion  McCabe  Bruner. 


232  R  ()   e    K       1    S    L  A    X   1)       A    R   S    !•:    X   A    L 


Federal  Surety  Company 


The  Federal  Surety  Company  is  a  stock  company  located  in  Davenport, 
ioua.  This  company,  with  a  capital  of  one  million  dollars,  writes  casualty 
insurance  and  surety  bonds.  It  is  owned  by  many  prominent  people  in  the 
Tri-Cities  and  at  present  transacts  business  in  eighteen  states  and  the 
District  of  Columbia.  The  Federal  Government  has  licensed  this  company 
to  write  government  business  throughout  the  United  States.  The  Federal 
is  one  of  only  twenty-nine  companies  in  the  United  States  to  be  so  licensed, 
and  only  two  of  these  companies  are  located  west  of  the  Mississippi. 

W.  L.  Taylor  is  the  very  elhcieiit  manager  of  the  Federal  Surety  Com- 
pany, and  the  effects  of  his  splendid  management  are  shown  in  the  rapid 
growth  of  this  company.  It  w^as  established  during  the  month  of  July,  1920, 
and  since  that  date  has  attained  a  position  of  confidence  and  trust  usually 
accorded  only  to  companies  which  have  put  many  years  of  faithful  service 
behind  them.  Best's  Insurance  Guide  with  key  ratings  for  1922  rates  the 
Federal  Surety's  paying  record  as  "excellent"  and  gives  its  management  the 
highest  rating  accorded  to  companies  of  this  kind. 

Each  department  is  managed  by  men  with  years  of  experience  in  their 
respective  lines.     The  directors  of  this  company  are: 

M.  H.  Calderwood,  Ex-President  of  the  Iowa  Rankers  Association. 
Director  and  President  of  the  Eldridge  Savings  Bank,  Director  and  Presi- 
dent of  the  Mississippi  \'alley  Fair  and  I'lxposition  Association. 

George  E.  Decker,  Director  and  President  of  the  Register  Life  Insurance 
Company,  also  Director  of  the  Iowa  National  Bank. 

Charles  Grilk,  Counselor  and  Attorney-at-law,  General  Counsel  Register 
Life   Insurance   Company. 

H.  C.  Kahl,  Director  and  \'icc-President  of  the  Walsh  Construction 
Company,  Director  and  President  of  the  Blackhawk  Hotel  Company,  Direc- 
tor and  \"ice-President  of  the  Miller  Hotel  Company,  Director  of  the 
Citizens  Trust  and  Savings  Bank,  Director  of  the  Iowa  National  Bank, 
also  sole  owner  of  the  Kahl  building. 

Charles  Shuler,  Director  and  President  of  the  Iowa  National  Bank,  Di- 
rector Colorado  and  Utah  Coal  Company,  Maple  Coal  Company,  also  inter- 
ested in  some  of  Davenport's  largest  institutions. 

Frank  B.  Yetter,  Director  and  active  \'ice-President  of  the  Iowa  National 
Bank,  Director  Register  Life  Insurance  Company,  member  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  Clearing  House  division  of  the  American  Bankers' 
Association,  also  Ex-President  of  the  Iowa  Bankers'  Association. 

W.  L.  Taylor  \'ice-President  and  General  Manager  of  the  Company. 

Charles  Shuler  is  the   President  of  the   Federal   Surety   Com])any 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


233 


W.  L.  Taylor,  Vice-President  and  General  Manager  Federal  Surety  Company 


2.H  k  u  C   K       I   S   I.  A  X   I)       A   k  S    I.    X  A   L 

Geo.  M.  Bechtel  &  Co. 

In  April.  1891,  tlie  investment  house  of  (ieo.  M.  Bechtel  &  Cu.  was  es- 
tablished in  Davenpi>rt.  Iowa,  to  specialize  in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  Iowa 
municipal  bonds.  For  over  thirty  years  the  institution  has  grown  and 
prospered  by  adherence  to  conservative  and  safe  principles  of  investment 
banking. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  great  difference  in  the  investment  tield  of  that 
day  and  this.  We  find  that  while  the  State  of  Iowa  was  well  settled,  it  was  not 
the  wealthy,  highly  developed  state  that  it  is  today.  It  is  reported  that  the 
entire  bonded  indebtedness  of  all  the  cities,  counties  and  school  districts  in 
the  state  at  that  time  amounted  to  only  $11,000,000.  But  the  need  of  capital 
for  public  improvements  existed,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  greatest  agri- 
cultural state  in  the  union  was  dependent  upon  it.  Naturally  many  of  its 
lx)nd  laws  were  new  and  untested.  We  find  further  that  the  market  for 
municipal  bonds  existed  only  among  the  banks  and  insurance  companies  of 
New  York  and  New  England,  while  some  of  the  bonds  found  their  way  to 
London,  along  with  other  classes  of  American  securities.  But  the  number 
of  bond  buyers  among  the  general  public  was  limited.  At  that  time  it 
may  be  said  that  Iowa  was  considered  by  the  eastern  investor  as  a  field  for 
high  rate  semi-conservative  investments,  such  as  we  now  find  in  so  many 
western  and  southern  localities.  But  above  all.  Iowa  possessed  the  potential 
uealth  and  prospect  for  prosperity  that  does  not  exist  in  any  undeveloped 
part  of  the  United  States  today.  The  favorable  reception  of  Iowa  bonds  in 
the  market  then,  and  also  their  future  market,  was  wholly  dependent  on  the 
'judgment  of  and  development  by  those  who  dealt  in  them.  This  is 
briefly  the  situation  at  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  the  house  oi  Geo. 
M.  Bechtel  &  Co. 

\\'ith  no  change  in  policy  nor  deviation  from  the  ideals  of  conser\ati\e 
investment  banking,  this  institution  stands  today  as  a  tribute  to  the  judg- 
ment and  integrity  of  its  founder,  Mr.  Geo.  M.  Bechtel.  Money  and  the 
investment  markets  are  no  lortger  confined  to  the  east.  The  municipal  bond, 
the  government  bond,  or  any  bond  is  common  stock  in  trade.  The  banker, 
the  merchant,  the  professional  man  and  the  wage  earner  look  upon  a  safe 
conservative  bond  as  a  logical  i)lacc  for  spare  funds  or  savings.  A  record 
in  Iowa  municipal  bonds  of  "no  loss  to  any  investor  of  principal  or  interest 
in  thirty  years"  has  earned  for  them  the  name  of  "Little  Governments" 
among  the  customers  of  Geo.  M.  Bechtel  &  Co.  It  is  estimated  that  there  is 
now  outstanding  in  the  State  of  Iowa  $125,000,000  of  city,  county  and  school 
bonds  and  probably  an  equal  amount  has  been  issued  and  paid  during  the 
past  thirty  years.  In  all  of  this  financing  this  institution  has  been  very 
closely  associated.  Hardly  a  municipality  exists  in  the  state  that  at  some 
time  or  other  has  not  been  assisted  by  this  house. 

Geo.  M.  Bechtel  &  Co.  serves  today  thousands  of  conservative  investors 
in  the  United  States  who  believe  in  safe,  convenient  and  tax-free  investments. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  235 

The  White-Phillips  Company 

The  White-Phillips  Company,  Livestment  Bankers,  Davenport,  Iowa,  is 
recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost  institutions  of  its  kind  in  Iowa.  The 
concern  specializes  exclusively  in  the  handling  of  municipal  bonds  in  the 
middle  west — primarily  in  Iowa,  Illinois  and  Nebraska. 

The  universal  interest  of  the  investing  public  in  municipal  bonds  has 
caused  the  firm  to  prepare  an  interesting  booklet  explaining  how  bond  values 
are  computed  and  what  they  represent.  Copies  of  this  booklet  may  be  had 
upon  request,  free  of  charge. 

Since  the  World  ^\'ar  this  class  of  securities,  which  found  but  a  limited 
field  of  buyers  twenty  years  ago,  has  attained  wide  popularity,  for  the  very 
good  reason  that  they  form  a  nearly  ideal  investment  for  wage  earners  and 
those  of  limited  means,  as  well  as  for  those  of  larger  financial  resources.  A 
people  which  had  learned  to  buy  government  bonds  to  the  value  of  billions  of 
dollars  has  turned  largely  now  to  the  bonds  of  cities,  towns,  school  districts 
and  counties. 

The  White-Phillips  Company  is  at  all  times  prepared  to  answer  any 
questions  which  may  arise  with  reference  to  municipal  bonds.  The  services 
and  facilities  of  this  banking  house  are  yours  to  command,  and  it  is  their 
earnest  desire  that  you  avail  yourself  of  them.  All  inquiries  are  accorded 
serious,  respectful  and  courteous  personal  consideration. 

Specializing  exclusively  in  the  handling  of  municipal  bonds  in  the  great 
corn  belt,  they  at  all  times  have  on  hand  an  ample  list  of  diversified  offerings 
\vhich  permit  a  varied  selection  to  meet  any  particular  requirements. 

The  institution  has  grown  to  an  enviable  position  of  stability,  strength 
and  high  character,  and  has  branch  offices  located  in  Dubuque  and  Des 
Moines.  Iowa,  and  Omaha,  Nebraska,  with  a  personnel  of  over  forty  jK-ople. 

The  officers  and  members  of  the  firm  are: 
President — George  AAHiite. 
\'ice-President— B.  A.  Phillips. 
Secretary — Robert  Alexander. 
Treasurer — S.  C.  (ilaspell. 
Cashier — \\'alter  E.  A^ieth. 

Their  facilities  for  handling  any  investment  needs  are  unsurpassed  and 
without  peer  in  their  chosen  field. 


236 


ROCK        I    S    L  A    \    I)       A    R   S    E   N   A   L 


Peoples  National  Bank 
and  American  Trust  &  Savings  Bank 

Forty-eight  years  ago  the  Peojiles  National  Bank,  now  the  only  national 
bank  in  Rock  Island  county,  was  organized.  Bailey  Davenport  was  its  first 
president    and    its    directorate    included    Frederick    Weyerhaeuser,    George 


J.  L.  Vernon,  Prfsirlmt  Ppoplrs  National  and  American  Triisl  and  Savings  Banks 


Wagner,  Ignat/.  Iluber.  Charles  Tegeler,  Joseph  Rosenfield,  August 
Huesing,  Frederick  \V.  Kellerstrass,  Frederick  Hass,  Henry  Burgower,  and 
Peter  Fries.  All  have  passed  away,  most  of  them  many  years  ago,  but  de- 
scendants of  nearly  all  remain  and  the  family  names  are  closely  linked  with 
Rock  Island's  history  from  the  earliest  days. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


237 


The  Peoples  National  Bank  first  did  business  in  the  1800  block,  coming 
to  its  present  quarters  about  ten  years  later.  In  1911  the  property  at  Second 
avenue  and  Eighteenth  street  was  purchased  and  remodeled. 


Peoples  National  Bank  Building 

Henry  Burgower  was  the  first  vice-president  and  John  Peetz  the  first 
cashier.  On  the  death  of  Bailey  Davenport,  Joseph  Rosenfield  became  pres- 
ident, being  followed  by  Otto  Huber.     Present  officers  are: 

President — J.  L.  Vernon. 

Vice-President — Robert  Wagner. 

Cashier — G.  O.  Huckstaedt. 

Assistant  Cashier — F.  E.  Sudlow. 

Directors — G.  O.  Hucksteadt,  C.  B.  Marshall,  James  F.  Murphy,  G.  W. 
Roth,  C.  A.  Schoessel,  J.  L.  Vernon,  Robert  Wagner. 

The  American  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  was  formed  in  1912,  and  occupies 
quarters  jointly  with  the  Peoples  National.  Officers  are  the  same,  except 
that  the  directorate  of  the  former  includes  S.  J.  Apple,  C.  A.  Bopes,  N.  A. 
Larson,  C.  J.  Montgomery,  John  A.  Murrin,  L.  Ostrom,  H.  C.  Schafifer,  and 
J.  A.  Weishar. 

The  combined  capital  and  surplus  of  the  two  banks  is  $400,000  and  their 
joint  resources  approximately  $3,000,000. 


238 


R  ()   f   K        1    S    I.   A    X    I)       A   R  S    v.   N   A    I 


R.  j.  Walsh  &  Company 


R.J.  Walsh 


I-'dundt'd  in  1917  and  incorporated  in  1920.  R.  j.  Walsh  &  Company  has 
heconu'  a  leading;  Tri-City  ])on(l  and  mortgage  in\estment  company.     Since 

the  date  of  incorporation  it  has  occupied 
attractive  .ground  tloor  quarters  in  the  Kalil 
building-,  MO  West  Third  street,  Daven- 
jxirt. 

In  its  earlier  years  the  concern  handled 
stock  issues  for  industrial  concerns  and 
scored  a  remarkable  success.  Latterly  it 
has  turned  its  attention  exclusively  to  the 
l)uying  and  selling  of  first  mortgage  real 
estate  gt)ld  bonds.  Here,  also,  it  has  done 
a  large  volume  oi  business  and  has  built  up 
an  extensive  and  steadily  growing  patron- 
age. 

The  company  maintains  a  staff  of  ex- 
pert salesmen.  It  pays  particular  attention 
to  Iowa  and  Illinois  securities,  its  field  be- 
ing one  in  Avliich  real  estate  \alues.  both 
urban  and  rural,  are  uniformly  sound  and 
normally  show  a  steadily  rising  tendency. 
making  an  ideal  security  for  conser\ati\e  in\estment.  I'rogressive  develop- 
ment of  this  territory,  assured  by  e\ery  industrial,  commercial  and  agri- 
cultural aspect,  gives  positive  promise  of  a  steadily  growing  volume  of 
business,  of  which  the  Walsh 
organization  may  be  relied  u])on  to 
secure   its  share. 

The  company  is  ca])itali/ed  at 
$250,000.  It  is  backed  by  local  men 
of  high  standing  financially  and  of 
unquestioned  integrity.  Its  re- 
sources enable  it  to  handle  inde- 
Itendently  large  issues  of  securi- 
ties, thereby  doing  business  e.xi)edi- 
tiously  and  with  maximum  returns. 
Officers    of    the    com])any    arc:  ()ti„,<.fR.  j.  WaUh*  Company 

President.  Treasurer  and  .Manager — R.  j.  W  alsh. 
Vice-President — A.    I',.  Carroll. 
Secretary — I.  W.  Simons. 

Directors— R.  j.  Walsh.  A.   P..  Carroll.   T.   W.  Simons.   Dr.   V.   Neufeld, 
George  A.  Parks.  Dr.  C.  L.  Barewald,  K.  (  ).  Denkniaii  and  A.  C.  Klindt. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


239 


Rock  Island  Savings  Bank 


The  Rock  Island  Savings  Bank  is  one  of  the  solid  institutions  of  the 
city.  Organized  in  1890,  it  was  the  first  savings  bank  in  Rock  Island.  Quar- 
ters originally  were  in  the  then  Mitchell  c^-  Lynde  building,  now  the  home 
of  the  State  Bank. 

Capital  stock  at  first  was  $100,000,  and  E.  J'.  Reynolds  was  the  first 
president,  with  F.  C.  Denkmann  vice-president  and  J.  M.  Buford  cashier. 
P.  L.  Mitchell  became  president  in  1892  and  J.  M.  Buford  was  promoted 
from  the  cashiership  to  head  of  the  bank  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Mitchell,  in  1899. 
Phil  Mitchell  followed  Mr.  Buford  and  H.  S.  Cable  served  as  president  from 
1910  to  1922.  l)eing  succeeded  by  Hugh  E.  Curtis. 

From  the  first  the  Rock  Island  Savings  Bank  made  rapid  progress.  In 
a  decade  its  dei)osits  had  increased  from  $333,864.84  to  $1,704,027.06.  At 
the  close  of  1922  deposits  were  $4,300,000.00.  Growth  of  business  neces- 
sitated more  roomy  quarters,  and  in  the  fall  of  1911  the  present  home,  at 
Eighteenth  street  and  Third  avenue,  built  exclusively  for  banking  purposes, 
was  occupied.  Capital,  surplus  and  undivided  profits  at  the  close  of  1922 
were  over  $550,000  and  resources  over  $5,000,000. 

Present  officers  are:  Chairman  of  board,  H.  S.  Cable;  president,  Hugh 
E.  Curtis;  vice-president,  M.  E.  Strieter;  vice-president-cashier,  W.  G. 
Johnston;  assistant  cashiers,  J.  H.  Meehan  and  R.  W.  Osterman. 

Directors— H.  S.  Cable.  Hugh  E.  Curtis  William  H.  Dart,  Franz  Happ. 
W.  G.  Johnston,  Phil  Mitchell,  John  ^^^  Potter,  M.  E.  Strieter. 


240 


R  ()   L    K        1    S    L   A    X    1)       A    R   S    !•:    X   A 


Central  Trust  &  Savings  Bank 


History  of  the  Central  Tru-i  \  .--;i\  iii^s  Hank  really  goes  back  to  Sept. 
11,  1871,  when  the  former  Rock  Island  National  Bank  was  organized.  The 
savings  institution  came  into  existence  Dec.  2.  1899.  and  the  two  were  con- 
solidated April  1.  1915.  under  the  present  name. 

Captain  T.  J.  Robinson  was  the  founder  of  the  Rock  Island  National. 
Quarters  first  were  at  No.  23,  Illinois  street,  now  1609  Second  avenue.  In 
1876  the  Robinson  building,  at  Second  avenue  and  Eighteenth  street,  was 
occupied.  Consolidation  of  the  two  banks  was  coincident  with  the  occupying 
of  the  present  home  on  Third  avenue  at  Eighteenth  street. 

Captain  Robinson,  first  president  of  the  Rock  Island  National,  was 
succeeded  in  that  office. at  his  death  by  his  son,  the  late  J.  Frank  Robinson. 
The  late  H.  E.  Casteel  was  the  third  president. 

The  Central  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  is  capitalized  at  $200,000.  Its  surplus 
is  $200,000  and  undivided  profits  $190,000.     The  present  officers  are: 

President,  M.  S.  Heagy ;  vice-presidents,  H.  H.  Cleaveland,  C.  J.  Larkin. 
H.  \V.  Tremann ;  cashier,  L.  M.  Casteel ;  assistant  cashier,  R.  E.  Swanson ; 
trust  officer,  E.  H.  Krell. 

Directors— M.  S.  Heagy,  H.  H.  Cleaveland,  C.  J.  Larkin,  H.  B.  Simmon, 
H.  W.  Tremann.  J.  W.  Tremann.  Oscar  F.  Smith.  W.  J.  Sweeney.  Dr.  G.  A. 
Wiggins,  George  H.  Richmond,  11.  D.  Mack,  \V.  S.  Parks. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  241 

State  Bank  of  Rock  Island 

Successor  to  Mitchell  &  Lynde,  Ye  Olde  Banke,  Established  1852 

OFFICERS 
I'hil   Mitchell,    President  K.  T.  Ainlersoii,  Asst.  Cashier       C.   F.   Chaunoii,  Asst.   Cashier 

I.   S.   White.   Vice-President  B.  J.  Mitchell,  Asst,  Cashier 

DIRECTORS 
I'hil   Mitchell  I.    S.    White  G,  L,  Eyster  B.  D,  Connelly  Frank   Mixter 

E.    H.   Giiyer  B.  C,  Hartz 

Capital  $200,000,00  Surplus  $100,000.00  Undivided  Profits  $100,000,00 

The  first  bank  in  Rock  Island  County  was  established  in  Rock  Island 
in  1852,  by  Cook,  Sargent  &  Parker,  bankers  and  business  men  of  Davenport, 
Iowa,  in  the  room  now  occupied  by  Martin  Cigar  Store  at  1630  Second  avenue. 

In  1854  the  bank  was  moved  to  the  then  new  brick  building  erected  by 
Bailey  &  Boyle  at  Second  avenue  and  Seventeenth  street,  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent State  Bank  building,  which  has  been  the  home  of  this  bank  and  its  prede- 
cessors for  sixty-eight  years,  the  present  structure  having  been  built  by 
Mitchell  &  Lynde  in  1890. 

Mitchell  &  Cable  (P.  L.  Mitchell  and  P.  L.  Cable)  bought  out  Cook, 
Sargent  &  Parker  in  1856.  At  that  time  there  were  four  banks  in  Rock  Island, 
including  the  Rock  Island  Bank  (Negus,  Osborn  &  Lee),  Bank  of  the 
Federal  Union  (N.  B.  Buford,  president),  and  Fish,  Goodale  &  Lee. 

Mitchell  &  Lynde  (P.  L.  Mitchell  and  Cornelius  Lynde),  succeeded 
Mitchell  &  Cable  in  1860. 

Following  the  panic  of  1857-1858,  and  the  succeeding  hard  time  years, 
Mitchell  &  Lynde  became  the  sole  survivor,  and  was  the  only  bank  in  Rock 
Island  for  several  years,  until  1861,  when  Mitchell  &  Lynde  organized  the 
First  National  Bank,  charter  No.  108,  with  P.  L.  Mitchell  as  president.  This 
was  one  of  the  first  national  banks  to  be  organized,  as  shown  by  its  charter 
number. 

Mitchell  &  Lynde  succeeded  the  Rock  Island  Bank  in  1861,  and  also 
succeeded  the  First  National  Bank  of  Rock  Island  in  1890. 

The  other  pioneer  banks  in  Rock  Island  county  were  Gould,  Dimock  & 
Co.,  Moline,  dating  from  1856,  and  W.  H.  Devore,  Port  Byron,  about  1858. 

The  Rock  Island  National  Bank  (T.  J.  Robinson,  president)  was  started 
in  1872. 

Phil  Mitchell,  State  Bank  president,  has  been  in  continuous  service  with 
the  bank  and  its  predecessors  since  1861,  sixty-one  years,  and  it  is  believed 
he  is  the  oldest  bank  officer  in  time  of  service  in  the  State  of  Illinois. 


242 


KOI      In 


S    LA    X    I)       A    k   S    !•:    X   A   L 


First  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  of  Rock  Island 

Wmiii^t'st   anitiiij;"    Rock    Island    financial    instilutitins    is   the    I'^irst    I'rust 
(!\:  Sa\  inq;s  iJank.      riiouiili  it  is  less  than  three  years  old.  it  has  i^one  ahead 

with  rapid  strides,  ])rov- 
inj;-  the  wisdom,  fore- 
sight and  ability  of  its 
founders.  and  demon- 
strating;; that  there  was  a 
tine  held  for  its  business 
activities.  luich  month 
since  its  opening  has 
s  h  o  w  n  a  substantial 
growth.  Its  deposits  now 
total  one  million  dollars. 


charter  for  the  First 
Trust  &  Savings  Bank- 
was  issued  December  29. 
1919.  The  doors  were 
opened  for  business  Jan- 
uary 24.  1920.  quarters 
being  in  the  Robinson 
building,  at  the  south- 
west corner  oi  Second 
axenue  and  Eighteenth 
street. 

( )rganized  under  the  laws  of  Illinois,  the  bank  is  also  a  member  of  the 
I-'ederal  Reserve  system,  being  thus  under  both  state  and  federal  inspection. 

The  First  Trust  c^  Savings  bank  gives  special  attention  U)  the  needs  of 
the  farmer,  for  whom  excellent  service  is  given.  There  are  attractive 
features  for  handling  long-time  farm  loans.  The  bank  also  enjoys  a  very 
substantial  city  business.  At  the  time  this  was  written  it  was  qualifying  as  a 
trust  company,  which  would  provide  additional  service  for  its  ra])idly  in- 
creasing list  of  customers,  in  addition  to  existing  commercial,  savings  and 
investment  departments. 

Rapid  growth  of  business  has  made  necessary  an  increase  of  capital,  and 
old  and  new  customers  are  being  offered  a  part  of  additional  st<^ck  author- 
ized at  the  last  annual  meeting  of  stockholders,  sale  of  which  will  provide  a 
total  oi  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  million  capital  and  >ur])lus.  (■ai)ital  and 
surplus  now  are  $130,000.     Ofticers  are: 

President.  C.  A.  Beers;  vice-president.  C.  C.  Clarke;  cashier,  O.  O.  Liitt; 
assistant  cashier.  1\.  1*.  Gilloley. 

Directors— C.  A.  Beers.  J.  M.  Welch,  O.  (  ).  Liitt.  W.  S.  Verbury.  J.  A. 
'■Veils.  Walter  Foster,  W.  j.  Krull,  Walter  j.  Klockau.  John  Lipton,  t.  A. 
Pender.  C.  C.  Clarke  and  Allen  J.  Miller. 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R  S    K   N  A  L 


243 


French  &  Hecht 

Primitive  man  pushed  logs  and  stones  about  on  wooden  rollers.  Later 
he  evolved  the  wooden  disc  wheel  and  the  axle.  It  was  a  long  step  from  the 
disc  wheel  to  the  spoke  wheel,  which  answered  its  purpose  very  well  until 
the  day  of  rapid  transport  dawned.  Then  it  was  necessary  to  have  some- 
thing stronger  to  withstand  the  shocks  and  strains  incident  to  the  moving 
of  heavy  bodies  at  high  speed. 

Once  the  metal  wheel  was  created  new  uses  for  it  were  shortlv  found. 
and  it  proceeded  to  displace  the  wr)oden  wheel  in  fields  where  it  had  been 


Crt-: 


Part  of  the  French  &  Hecht  Plant 


thought  the  latter  never  could  be  improved  upon.  Only  a  few  years  ago 
the  wooden  wheel  was  used  on  nearly  all  agricultural  implements.  Now 
few  farm  labor-saving  devices  are  so  equipped.  The  motor  vehicle  is 
passing  through  the  same  evolutionary  process  as  has  taken  place  in  farm 
implements,  and  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  the  \\-oo(len  wheel  will  l)e 
but  a  memory. 

French  &  Hecht,  of  Davenport,  are  the  largest  exclusive  manufacturers 
of  metal  wheels  in  the  world.  They  have  developed  and  perfected  the  steel 
spoke  wheel,  in  the  manufacture  of  which  they  stand  preeminent. 

French  &  Hecht  started  in  1890,  as  a  corporation  known  as  the  Betten- 
dorf  Metal  Wheel  Company.  In  1909,  without  material  change  of  owner- 
ship, the  present  partnership  was  formed.  There  are  now  three  general 
partners  in  the  enterprise.  Messrs.  G.  Watson  French,  j.  L.  Hecht  and  W.  H. 
Stackhouse,  all  of  Davenport. 


244 


R  O  L'   K 


ISLAND       A    R  S    K   N  A   L 


Victor  Storage  Battery  Company 

Rock  Island  claims  the  largest  western  manufactory  producing  storage 
batteries — the  \'ictor  Storage  Battery  Company,  located  at  Mississippi  river 
and  Fourth  avenue.  The  size  of  the  institution  is  realized  by  comparatively 
few  Tri-City  residents,  for  while  the  plant  has  excellent  transportation  facili- 
ties by  rail,  highway  and  water,  it  is  at  some  distance  from  the  more 
generally  traveled  streets.  A  visit  to  the  factory  helps  to  impress  one  witli 
the  diversity  of  industrial  products  the  community  has  to  offer. 

The  \'ictor  Company,  whose  officers  are  Dick  R.  Lane,  president; 
George  White,  vice-president;  B.  1'.  White,  secretary,  and  Tully  White, 
treasurer,  was  incorporated  early  in  1914.  During  the  last  eight  years  it 
has  developed  a  large  and  well-deserved   demand  for  the   S.  O.  S.  line  of 


batteries.  Manufacturing"  was  started  in  llic  l)uil(ling  nt  Twenty-hfth  street 
and  Fourth  avenue,  now  occupied  by  the  J.  Peterson  Com})any.  In  August, 
1917,  the  concern  remoxed  to  Moline  and  occupied  a  building  at  Seventh 
street  and   Fourth  avenue. 

Rapid  growth  of  the  business  made  larger  manufacturing  facilities  im- 
perative. The  old  W^eyerhaeuser  &:  Denkmann  sawmill  site  at  the  foc^t  of 
Fourth  avenue  in  Rock  Island  was  accpiired  and  the  present  modern  factory 
erected  in  1919.  This  building  is  the  last  word  in  modernity  and  convenience 
for  the  making  of  storage  batteries  in  large  quantities.  It  is  equipped  with 
the  latest  appliances  in  machinery,  lighting,  \entilation.  etc.  The  initial 
steps  in  manufacturing  take  ])lace  at  one  end  of  the  plant  and  the  finished 
product  leaves  the  building  at  the  other  end.  .\  switch  track  from  the  C. 
R.  I.  &  P.  line  parallels  the  factory  and  makes  possible  the  loading  and 
unloading  of  several  cars  at  the  same  time.  The  property  extends  from 
Fourth  to  Sixth  avenue  along  the  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  so  that  the 
company  is  in  an  ideal  position  to  benefit  from  the  revival  of  river  traffic. 

Storage  batteries  for  all  purpt)ses  are  made  by  the  X'ictor  Company, 
but  special  attention  is  jjaid  to  starting  and  lighting  batteries  for  automo- 
biles, farm  lighting,  power  plants  and  for  radio  use.  These  batteries 
enjoy  an  enviable  reputation  not  only  in  the  United  States,  but  in  practically 
all  parts  of  the  world. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


245 


Phelps  Light  &  Power  Company 

Possible  uses  of  electricity  on  the  farm  are  almost  without  limit.  How- 
to  get  the  electricity  to  the  farm  remote  from  central  power  stations  is  a 
subject  that  has  been  given  much  attention  and  in  the  solving  of  which  much 
capital  has  been  invested.  Out  of  the  experimental  period  has  come  the 
modern  farm  lighting  and  power  plant. 

Among  the  farm  lighting  and  power  plants  now  in  the  market,  that  manu- 
factured by  the  Phelps  Light  &  Power  Company,  of  Rock  Island,  stands 
without  a  superior  for  all-around  uses.    It  is  economical,  reliable  and  durable, 


Phelps  Light  &  Power  Company  Plant 

and  it  develops  sufficient  power  so  that  it  may  be  used  for  belt  work  and 
battery  charging  simultaneously.  The  Phelps  generator  has  a  guaranteed 
rating  of  1,500  watts.  The  Phelps  motor  is  guaranteed  to  deliver  three  and 
one-half  horsepower,  in  addition  to  operating  the  generator.  The  235 
ampere-hour  battery  will  run  a  half-horse  power  electric  motor. 

R.  W.  Phelps  began  the  manufacture  of  gasoline  motors  in  1915  at 
Wilton,  Iowa.  Early  in  1916  he  bought  out  the  W^arner  Arc  Lamp  Com- 
pany, manufacturers  of  electrical  appliances,  and  removed  to  Tipton,  Iowa. 
Late  the  same  year  the  plant  was  brought  to  Rock  Island,  where,  till  1918, 
motors  were  made  for  the  Marron  Mfg.  Company.  In  the  latter  year  manu- 
facture of  the  Phelps  farm  lighting  plant  was  begun. 

The  Phelps  factory  is  the  largest  in  the  country  exclusively  devoted  to 
the  making  of  farm  light  and  power  equipment.  It  occupies  40,000  feet  of 
floor  space,  employs  150  men  and  is  capable  of  producing  100  complete 
plants  daily.  Phelps  plants  are  being  sold  all  over  the  United  States  and  in 
foreign  countries.  The  company  is  capitalized  at  $800,000  and  the  officers 
are:  R.  W.  Phelps,  president;  A.  G.  Bush,  secretary;  W.  J.  Moore,  treas- 
urer. 


246 


R  ()   e"   K 


S    I.   A    X    I)       A    R   S    !•:    X   A    1 


The  L.  Stapp  Company.  Florists 

For  half  a  century  flowers  from  Stapp's  have  helped  to  express  the 
deeper  feelings  of  the  people  of  Rock  Island  and  of  the  Tri-Cities.  They 
have  added  warmth  and  color  and  beauty  to  festivals;  they  have  paid 
tribute  to  the  deserving;  they  have  been  offered  as  evidence  of  affection  and 
loyalty;  thev  have  softened  the  poignant  grief  of  separation.  Human 
emotions  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest  have  responded  to  their  presence 
and  their  influence  for  the  making  of  better  lives  in  the  community  has  been 
beyond  calculation. 

It  has  been  more  than  half  a  century  since  John  Stapp.  of  ( ierman  birth, 
and  a  florist  and  gardener  by  training  and  inclination,  established  the  busi- 
ness which  now  bears  his  name.  He  had  a  tract  of  ten  acres  in  the  west  end 
of  Rock  Island  and  there  was  built  the  first  greenhouse  in  the  city.  Always 
he  preferred  to  cultivate  flowers,  but  pioneer  Rock  Islanders,  more  prosaic 
than  their  descendents  of  this  day.  preferred  to  buy  vegetables.  So  at  first 
the  garden  was  a  more  prolific  source  of  rexenue  than  the  flower  bed.  and 
was  given  corres])ondingly  more  space  and  attention. 

Approximately  fifty  years  ago  the  site  of  the  present  greenhouses  on 
Twelfth  street  was  acquired  and  there  a  ])lant  has  been  develoi)ed  till  it  is 
the  largest  exclusively  devoted  to  the  production  of  flowers  in  the  three 
cities,  and  is  exceeded  in  size  only  in  the  larger  population  centers.  Eighteen 
acres  of  land  are  cultivated  and  one-third  of  the  tract  is  under  glass.  A 
specialty  is  made  of  roses,  which  few  florists  attempt  to  grow  extensively. 
About  two-thirds  of  the  greenhouse  area  is  devoted  to  this  flower.  Produc- 
tion of  vegetables  was  discontinued  many  years  ago. 


Panorainir  view  of  Stapp  Grefnhuuees  with 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R  S    I<:   N  A  L 


247 


L.  Stapp,  son  of  the  founder  of  the  business,  is  the  present  head  of  the 
company.  He  grew  up  in  the  work,  and,  like  his  father,  has  a  special 
aptitude  for  it.  After  he  attained  his  majority  he  became  a  member  of  the 
firm,  which  for  a  number  of  years  was  known  as  John  Stapp  &  Son.  In 
1903  the  father  retired  and  in  1916  the  present  company  was   incorporated. 

Most  of  the  expansion  of  the  plant  and  business  has  taken  place  under 
ihe  son's  management.  Year  by  year  the  greenhouses  have  Ijeen  extended, 
construction  always  being  of  the  latest  and  most  durable  type.  During  the 
present  year  (1922)  a  beautifully  appointed  family  home  was  erected  east  of 

the  plant  on  a  knoll  overlooking  the  surrounding  country. 

In  the  beginning  the  Stapp  greenhouses  catered  exclusively  to  the 
local  demand,  but  in  later  years  a  large  and  steadily  growing  shipping 
business  Itas  been  built  up,  reaching  over  Illinois  and  Iowa  and  even  beyond. 
By  far  the  greater  part  of  the  output  is  disposed  of  at  wholesale,  though  an 
extensive  retailing  business  continues  to  be  done. 

Meeting  the  practical  problems  of  flower  culture  and  sale  involves 
activities  on  a  large  scale  in  many  directions.  For  instance,  it  requires 
a  seven  and  one-half-ton  ice  machine  to  keep  the  cold  storage  room  at  the 
proper  temperature.  The  bill  for  water  alone  is  $1,000  annually,  and  it 
recjuires  2,500  tons  of  coal  a  year  to  heat  the  greenhouses.  Hundreds  of 
yards  of  surface  soil  are  hauled  from  a  nearby  tract  each  season  to  renew 
the  fertility  of  the  flower  beds  and  to  guard  against  the  mysterious  train 
of  evils  to  highly  domesticated  plants  arising  from  "soil  sickness."  About 
thirty  men  are  given  steady  employment. 


fine  new  Stapp  residence  inserted  at  left. 


248 


l\    (  »    (■    K 


S    L  A   X   D       A   R  S    E   X   A    L 


The  John  P.  Hand  Company 

The  tirst  automobile  starting  and  lighting-  battery  service  station  opened 
in  the  Tri-Cities  was  that  ui  The  John  P.  Hand  Company,  agent  for  the  W'il- 
iard  line.  It  was  established  in  1914,  in  a  small  store  room  at  Second  and  Iowa 
streets,  Davenport,  by  the  present  proprietor.  At  that  time  present  day 
electrical  equipment  for  automobiles  was  largely  in  the  experimental  stage, 
not  over  50.000  cars  in  the  United  States  being  so  outfitted.  Mr.  Hand, 
however,  was  quick  to  see  the  possibilities  of  the  battery  business,  and  so 
allied  himself  with  the  W'illard  company,  one  of  the  earliest  in  the   fiehl 


Tri-City  bcrvice  Maiioiis  ol  John  P.  Mand  Company.      lop — Davenport.      Lower  left — Kock  Island.      Lower  right — Moline. 


and  which  may  now  be  said  to  dominate  the  industry,  inasmuch  as  seventy- 
five  percent  of  all  automobile  manufacturing  concerns  in  this  country 
regularly  equip  their  cars  with  W'illards. 

Under  the  impetus  of  a  rapidly  growing  popular  demand  the  Hand 
battery  station  soon  needed  more  room.  In  1916  it  occupied  its  present 
quarters  at  315  East  Second  street,  built  especially  for  its  use.  Two  years 
later,  for  the  convenience  of  owners  of  W'illard-equipped  cars  in  that  city, 
the  company  built  its  present  station  at  523-525  Fourteenth  street,  Moline. 
and  in  1920,  followed  with  the  one  at  2001-2003.  Fifth  avenue.  Rock  Island. 

Until  the  current  year  (1922),  the  business  was  confined  to  battery  sales, 
repairing  and  service.  A  starter  and  generator  repair  department  has  now 
been  installed  in  all  three  cities. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


249 


The  Faerber  Agency 


Deprived  of  the  opportunity  for  schooling  at  the  age  of  eleven,  when 
circumstances  compelled  him  to  go  to  work  in  his  father's  meat  market, 
A.  J.  Faerber,  like  many  another  American  boy,  yet  found  a  way  to  acquire 

an  education  and  win  success.  To- 
day he  is  head  of  one  of  the  largest 
insurance  agencies  in  the  state  of 
Iowa,  and  interested  in  a  number  of 
leading  Davenport  business  and  in- 
dustrial enterprises. 

Mr.  Faerber  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  Wood  county,  Ohio,  Nov. 
24.  1877.  When  seven  years  of  age 
his  parents  remo\ed  to  Woodlake. 
Alinn.  At  sixteen  the  youth  started 
out  for  himself,  working  w^ith  the 
Cudahy  Packing  Company,  of  Mil- 
waukee. It  did  not  take  him  long, 
however,  to  decide  that  the  insur- 
ance business  ofifered  a  better  field 
for  his  talents  than  the  meat  busi- 
ness did.  When  se\enteen  he  start- 
ed work  for  the  Prudential  Insur- 
ance Company  and  at  eighteen  he 
was  made  inspector,  a  position  he 
held  till  1902.  Then  he  removed 
to  Davenport. 

In  Davenport   Mr.   Faerber  be- 
came one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
A.J.  Faerber  Guarauty  Lifc  Insurance  Company, 

retaining  his  interest  in  that  concern  till  1911.  Then  the  present  general 
agency  of  the  National  Life  Insurance  Company  of  the  United  States  was 
established  and  he  was  appointed  to  that  position. 

Mr.  Faerber  has  been  an  active  promoter  of  a  number  of  new  industries 
in  Davenport,  being  an  official  in  several  corporations.  He  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Federal  System  of  Bakeries  and  the  Community  Oil 
Service  Station  Company,  both  of  which  operate  extensively  throughout  the 
central  west. 

Mr.  Faerber's  public  spirit  is  attested  by  the  fact  that  he  is  a  past 
president  of  the  Davenport  Chamber  of  Commerce ;  was  long  a  member  of 
the  Greater  Davenport  Committee;  a  charter  member  of  the  Greater  Iowa 
Association,  now  the  Iowa  State  Chamber  of  Commerce,  holding  a  director- 
ship in  the  same;  is  secretary  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A., 
and  was  County  Chairman  of  the  Council  of  National  Defense  and  Chief 
Justice  of  the  Liberty  Loan  Court,  active  during  the  war. 


250 


R  ( )  C"   K 


A    \    I)       A    K  S    1-:   X   A    I, 


The  Iowa  Steam  Laundry  Company 


(  )nl\  by  tlie  closest  attention  to  detail,  prompt 
and  satisfactory  service  and  uniform  courtesy  in 
dealing  with  the  jjublic  can  a  successful  laundry 
business  be  l)uilt  Uj).  The  Iowa  Steam  Laundry 
Company,  of  Davenport,  has  filled  these  require- 
ments. It  has  made  an  unusual  success  in  its  field. 
Four  laundry  establishments,  some  of  them  among 
the  oldest  in  the  city,  have  been  combined  to  form 
what  is  now  known  as  "The   Laundrv  of  Oualitv." 


y 

^^^^^l^k^^M  I"  ^^^0  j.  K.  Buck  .>])ene(l  Laundry 

^^^H|^^WH|||^^|  the  east  half  of  the  of   the   Iowa 

Steam  Laundry  Company,  at  209-215  East  Third 
street.  For  fourteen  years  he  conducted  the  business.  Bert  Hayes  buying  an 
interest  in  the  latter  part  of  his  regime.  Soon  after  the  launching  of  the 
Electric  concern  Miller  &  Lucas  incorporated  the 
Iowa  Steam  laundry  Company  and  set  up  busi- 
ness just  across  the  street.  C.  A.  Keeler  and  J.  F. 
Halligan  became  owners  of  the  Iowa  Steam  Laundry 
in  1907.  and  also  absorbed  the  Electric  Laundry.  Mr. 
Buck  retiring  and  Mr.  Hayes  coming  in  as  part 
owner.  The  east  half  of  the  present  quarters  was 
occupied  at  that  time. 

\\'illiam    Pohlmann,    now    president    and    treas- 
urer,  acquired    control    of   the   business    in   August. 
1908.     A  year  later  the  upper  floor  of  the  building 
at  213-215  East  Third  street  was  occupied  and  then 
the  building  on  the  west  was  added,  the  lower  floor     <harie.  h.  \ia,tyn.  vice-pres.  amisupt. 
being    used    as    an    oflice    and    the    upper    for    laundry    i)urposes.       Flight 
years   ago   the    Star   Laundry   was    absorbed,   and    in    1918   the    City    Steam 
Laundry  was  purchased  from  the  Belle  I-'ink  Company,  who  had  conducted 

it   for  many  years.     In  December.   1917,  the  capital 
^^^^^^^  was  increased  to  $75,000. 

^^^^^^^^^  The  Iowa  Steam  Laundry  Company  does  a  gen- 

^^^p  ]  eral  laundry  business,  specializing  in  bundle  work, 

g^HHB^  ^ir  and  rough  dry  and  finished  family  laundry.     It  has  a 

^^^         ,  big  investment   in  equipment,  which   includes  prac- 

tically every  modern  de\  ice  used  in  the  business.  It 
has  its  own  power  plant  and  a  water  softening  ap- 
])aratus  of  large  capacity.  There  is  a  labor-saving 
machine  for  nearly  every  operation  in  the  cleansing. 
drying  and  ironing  of  fabrics.  The  company  regu- 
larly employs  from  fifty  to  sixty  persons. 


Ku.J<>l(>h  Han..-n.  i>ei-.  and  Mgr. 


RUCK       ISLAND       A  R  S   I^:   N  A  L 


251 


The  M.  V.  Boies  Company 

Perhaps  no  undertaking  business  in  the  state  of  Iowa  dates  back  as  far 
as  the  M.  V.  Boies  Company,  of  Davenport,  founded  in  the  early  forties. 

The  first  shop  of  Israel  Hall,  who  established  the  mortuary,  was  on 
Brady  street  between  Third  and  Fourth.  Later  it  was  removed  to  the  site 
of  the  present  federal  building  on  Perry  street,  and  in  1910  the  M.  W  Boies 
firm  occupied  its  present 
quarters  at  52.^  Perry 
street. 


Exterior  and  interior  views  ot 

M.  V.  Boiee.  Company 

Mortuary 


in  the  early  days  Mr.  ilall  and  Mr.  Boies  made  coffins  as  they  were 
needed.  x'Vs  soon  as  casket  manufacturing  became  standardized  a  stock  of 
metallic  and  wooden  coffins  was  purchased.  About  this  time  a  hearse  and 
box  wagon  were  bought,  being  among  the  first  vehicles  of  this  kind  in  the 
vicinity. 

Mr.  Boies  passed  away  in  1890,  and  the  extensive  business  that  he  had 
built  up  was  then  incorporated  under  the  present  name,  Mrs.  Boies  being 
president  and  the  son,  Warren  D.  Boies,  manager.  On  the  latter's  removal 
to  Chicago  some  years  ago,  his  place  was  taken  by  Selden  Morse  Clapp. 
grandson  of  M.  V.  Boies,  who  is  now  in  charge. 

The  present  quarters  are  modern  in  every  respect,  with  offices,  casket 
display  rooms,  a  preparation  room,  a  large  funeral  chapel,  which  is  ex- 
tensively used,  a  large  garage  for  rolling  stock,  and  other  adjuncts  necessary 
to  a  modern  mortuary.  The  chapel  is  finished  in  fumed  oak,  with  beautiful 
stained  glass  windows  of  Gothic  design.  It  seats  sixty  people,  but  by 
opening  into  the  reception  room  accommodations  are  provided  for  forty 
more.  Mr.  Clapp  is  assisted  by  two  male  licensed  em])almers  and  by  Mrs. 
Lottie  Boies  Clapp,  also  licensed  as  an  embalmer,  who  looks  after  the 
department  for  ladies  and  children. 


252 


ROCK       1   S   L  A   X   D       A   R  S    E    X   A 


The  Moline  Paint  Mfg.  Company 

The  Tri-City  community,  a  leading  center  for  the  manufacture  of  imple- 
ments,  vehicles  and  other  equipment   for  farm,  shop  and   domestic  use.   is 

a  heavy  consumer  uf  ])aint.  much  of  it  for 
dipping  purposes.  On  the  ground  and 
catering  to  this  demand  is  the  Moline 
Paint  Mfg.  Company,  of  which  C.  P. 
Skinner  is  head. 

In  1908  the  j.  C.  Scott  Paint  Com- 
pany, a  Freeport  concern  of  some  years 
standing,  removed  to  Moline.  Mr. 
Skinner  became  associated  with  it  as  trade 
manager.  In  April.  1910.  interests  of  the 
stockholders  of  the  firm  were  purchased 
and  the  present  company  incorporated 
with  S15.000  capital. 

From  the  first  the  present  company 
has  supplied  large  quantities  of  paste 
paints  to  the  big  implement-making  con- 
cerns of  the  vicinity,  being  able,  because 
of  favorable  location,  to  keep  in  close 
t(^uch  with  their  needs  and  to  give  prompt 
service.  Quantity  production  in  this  particular  line  was  also  of  great  ad- 
vantage in  meeting  comi)etition. 

During  the  last  five  years  the  making 
of  house  paints  has  been  given  increasing 
attention,  and  with  results  that  are  highly 
satisfactory.  A  large  percentage  of  the 
firm's  business  is  now  done  in  this  line. 
with  sales  covering  an  ever  widening  field. 

Direct  distribution  to  the  consumer 
is  contemplated  in  plans  that  are  well  ad- 
vanced at  the  time  this  is  written.  This 
method,  with  the  return  of  normal  busi- 
ness conditions,  is  expected  to  result  in 
a  very  material  increase  in  output  and  the 
expansion  of  the  concern's  facilities. 

Officers  of  the  Moline  Paint  Com- 
pany are : 

President — Charles  P.  Skinner. 
\'ice-President — M.  C.  Skinner. 
Secretary  and  Manager — W.  C.  Skiinier. 
Treasurer — Charles  D.  Rosenfield. 


Charles  P.  Skin 


^'.  C.  Skinner,  Secretary  and  Manager 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R  S    li   N  A  L 


253 


The  Maehr  Company 


The  Maehr  confectionery  and  bakery  is  the  oldest  in  point  of  contin- 
uous service  in  the  city  of  Davenport.  It  was  founded  in  1887  by  Frank 
Maehr,  a  candy  maker  by  trade,  and  a  native  of  the  community.  Throughout 
the  years  of  ceasless  change  in 
methods  of  manufacturing  and  sell- 
ing confectionery  goods,  the  firm 
has  kept  abreast  of  the  times  and 
maintained  its  reputation  for  the 
high  class  of  its  goods  and  the 
efficiency  and  completeness  of  its 
service. 

The  first  Maehr  establishmeni 
was  located  at  323  West  Third 
street.  After  two  years  the  busi- 
ness of  Ed.  Brehmer  at  110  West 
Second  street  was  purchased  and 
the  premises  there  occu])ied.  Here 
Mr.  Maehr  specialized  in  the  mak- 
ing of  cream  pie,  the  excellence  of 
which  did  much  to  luring  his  busi- 
ness into  general  notice  and  to 
build  up  a  lasting  patronage. 

As  the  business  became  well 
established  Mr.  Maehr  branched  out 
into  the  manufacture  of  candies, 
fitting   up    the   second    floor   of   his 

building  for  that  purpose.     This  department  has  steadily  grown,  as  Maehr 
candies  found  favor  in  an  ever  widening  field. 

Four  of  the  five  sons  of  Mr.  Maehr  saw  service  in  France  during  the 
World  War.  The  fifth,  Walter  P.  Maehr,  conducted  the  business,  which  he 
and  two  of  his  brothers  had  taken  over  in  1916. 

Store  No.  2,  located  at  316  West  Third  street,  to  which  the  business  was 
removed  in  1919,  is  one  of  the  best  equipped  confectioneries  in  the  west. 
The  first  floor  is  used  for  retailing,  and  a  high  class  cafe  is  conducted.  The 
second  floor  is  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  bakery  goods  and  candy. 

Not  only  does  the  Maehr  Company  make  its  own  candy  and  bakery 
goods,  but  it  manufactures  ice  cream  and  sherbets.  It  has  its  own  ice- 
making  plant  and  laundry,  and  cooling  within  the  plant  is  done  exclusively 
by  means  of  brine  coils. 

The  business  in  August,  1922,  was  again  being  managed  by  Walter  P. 
Maehr,  formerly  with  the  Terrace  Gardens,  and  now  president  of  the 
company. 


Walter  P.  Maehr 


254 


I<   (  )   C   K       1   S   L  A   X   1)       A   R  S   E   N  A   L 


The  Moline  Consumers  Company 

Thirty-i»ne  years  aj^o  llie  Moliiic  Ctuisuniers  Conipaii}-,  which  now  deals 
extensively  in  sand,  gfravel.  cement,  ice  and  coal.  ]va(\  its  (iri<(in  in  the 
Channel  Ice  Company.  'i"\vo  years  later,  in  1893.  James  P.  Pearson  pnrchased 
a  half  interest  in  the  hnsincss  anrl  assumed  the  management,  which  he 
retains  at  the  present  time. 

Formed  in  the  lirst  place  to  harxest.  store  and  (lis])ose  of  ice  at  whole- 
sale and  retail,  the  company 
has  made  rapid  expansion, 
with  several  reorganiza- 
tions to  broaden  its  scoj)e 
u  n  d  e  r  the  incorporation 
laws  of  the  State  and  to 
provide  for  additional  capi- 
tal. 


Pari  of  Molinr  Consumers 

(^jmpany  firet  at 

moorings  and 

in  artion 


The  first  change  of  name  took  place  in  1898,  when  the  company  was  in- 
corporated as  the  Moline  Channel  Ice  Company,  with  .Mr.  Pearson  president 
and  manager.  In  1903  the  concern  l)ranche(l  out  into  the  coal  and  building- 
material  field.  Among  the  building  materials  were  sand  and  gravel,  to  handle 
which  it  was  necessary  to  operate  boats  and  barges.  To  run  the  boats  to  best 
advantage,  the  com])any  went  into  the  handling  of  freight  and  excursions. 
Since  the  original  charter  was  not  drawn  to  include  all  these  activities,  a  new- 
company,  the  Moline  Sand  Company,  was  formed  with  capital  of  $100,000, 
taken  from  the  surplus  earnings  of  the  Moline  Channel  Ice  Company. 

The  two  companies  being  inter-dependent  to  a  great  extent,  the 
pr<iblem  of  accounting  became  a  difficult  one.  and  it  was  finally  decided  to 
consolidate  them  under  a  new  and  broader  charter,  which  was  done  in   1917. 


]>L  (  )   C  K       I   S   L.  A   N   D       A   R  S    ]-:   N  A  L 


255 


The  present  name  was  then  adopted,  the  capital  fixed  at  $200,000,  and  the 
present  officers  chosen,  as  follows: 

President — James  P.  Pearson. 

Vice-President — G.  A.  Shallberg. 

Secretary — Charles  C.  Loptien. 

Assistant  Secretary  and  Treasurer — Oscar  ^V.   Ellis. 

The  properties  of  the  company  include  a  sand  and  gravel  screening  plant, 
located  between  Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty-fifth  streets,  on  the  river  bank 
ai  Moline,  and  one  at  (  )ttawa,  Illinois.  The  home  plant  gets  its  raw  material 
from  a  pit  about  thirty  miles  up  the  Mississippi.    Transportation  is  by  water, 


the  company  maintaining  two  steamboats,  pump  boats  and  twelve  barges. 
The  plant  at  Ottawa  was  acquired  in  1916,  and  includes  a  large  tract  of  land 
underlaid  with  some  of  the  best  gravel  in  Illinois.  The  Moline  plant  has  a 
capacity  of  700  tons  a  day,  and  that  at  Ottawa  of  800  tons.  P)Oth  are  well 
supplied  with  rail  shipping  facilities. 

The  Moline  Consumers  Company  has  reached  its  present  position  of 
financial  security  through  able  business  management  and  satisfactory  and 
consistent  public  service.     Its  total  business  runs  into  large  figures. 

Over  fifty  thousand  barrels  of  cement,  in  addition  to  a  great  quantity  of 
brick,  lime  and  other  building  materials,  are  now  handled  annually. 

The  wholesale  and  retail  coal  business   in  1920  totaled  24,000  tons. 

Fifty  thousand  tons  of  ice  were  harvested  in  the  winter  of  1921-22,  being- 
stored  in  the  company's  houses  and  disposed  of  thrtiugh  various  channels, 
half  of  it  being  used  by  the  Rock  Island  road  in  the  icing  of  refrigerator 
and  dining:  cars. 


256 


k  ( )  e"  K 


S    L  A    X    1) 


A    R  S    1".    X   A    I. 


The  Rock  Island  Southern 

Offering  freight  and  passenger  service  between  the  Tri-Cities  and 
points  directly  south,  the  Rock  Island  Southern  Railway  Company  connects 
three  county  seats  and  taps  a  territory  rich  in  agricultural  resources.  Along 
its  line  are  to  be  found  coal  mines,  brick  yards,  gravel  and  sand  plants  and 
commercialized  shale  and  clay  deposits,  as  well  as  modern  grain  elevators 
and  adequate  stock  yards  and  station  shipping  facilities.  Through  the  Rock 
Island  Southern  Railroad  Company  it  has  access  to  Galesburg.  At  the  south 
it  connects  with  the  C.  B.  cS:  Q.,  the  A.  T.  &  S.  F.  and  M.  .&  St.  L.,  at  the 
north  with  the  C.  R.  I.  <S:  P..  C.  B.  &  Q..  C.  M.  &  St.  P.,  and  D.  R.  I.  &  N.  \V., 
iind  at  Gilchrist,  midway  between  the  two  termini,  with  the  C.  B.  tJt  Q.  So 
situated,  it  stands  foremost  as  a  short  line  railroad  in  handling  diversified 
traffic  to  the  benefit  of  the  entire  population  tributary  to  the  territory  it 
serves. 

The  Galesburg-Monmouth  line  was  built  in  1907.  It  is  electrically 
operated,  with  power  station  at  Cameron.  The  Monmouth-Rock  Island  line 
was  built  in  1908,  connecting  at  Southern  junction  with  the  C.  R.  I.  &  P., 
whose  tracks  were  used  to  reach  the  northern  terminus.  Recently  the 
company  took  over  this  road  and  now  operates  it  exclusively,  together  with 
the  Sherrard  and  Cable  branches. 

Originally  the  Monmouth-Rock  Island  line  used  electricity  as  its  motive 
power,  but  in  1920  it  was  transformed  into  a  steam  road. 


Snider.  Walsh  &  Hvnes 


Nearly  fifty  years  of  service  is  the  record  of  the  above  insurance,  real 
estate  and  surety  bond  firm.  Established  in  1874,  by  the  late  W.  H.  Snider, 
the  agency  has  ever  maintained  close  relations  with  Davenport's  manufac- 
turing, merchantile  and  home  interests. 

Eugene  Walsh  and  Joiin  Hynes  have  been  members  since  1915,  and  both 
are  active,  not  only  in  their  own  business  but  in  everything  that  looks  toward 
the  advancement  of  the  community. 


ROCK       ISL.VND       ARSENAL 


257 


Modern  Woodmen  of  America 


On  the  evening  of  January  5,  1883,  at  Lyons,  Iowa,  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America  came  into  existence  as  a  fraternal  beneficiary  society.  That  was 
the  beginning  of  what  is  now  the  world's  largest  institution  of  its  kind, 
furnishing  life  insurance  protection  coupled  with  fraternal  activities.  The 
name,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  was  selected  by  the  founder  after 
listening  to  a  sermon  in  which  reference  was  made  to  "woodmen  clearing 
away  the  forest" — suggesting  useful  employment,  honorable  labor,  and  prac- 
tical accomplishment.  A  charter  was  granted  ])y  thd  state  of  Illinois.  May  5, 
1884,   its  business   then  l)eing  confined   to   six   central    states.      In  40  years' 


development  the  organization  has  been  extended  to  every  state  of  the  union 
except  two,  as  well  as  four  provinces  of  western  Canada.  The  fact  that  the 
present  fundamental  law,  adopted  in  the  beginning,  contemplated  and  com- 
prised a  thoroughly  representative  form  of  government  in  which  all  members 
of  the  organization  have  a  voice,  has  contributed  largely  to  the  sviccess  and 
popularity  of  the  institution.  The  fact,  also,  that  its  ritual  does  not  interfere 
with  a  person's  religious  or  political  belief  likewise  contributes  to  the 
unanimity  and  harmony  of  its  members.  No  similar  organization  has  equalled 
or  excelled  its  record  of  progress  and  growth.  It  now  has  an  enrollment  in 
over  14,000  local  camps  of  1,060,000  members,  carrying  insurance  aggregating 
$1,606,250,000. 

Its  financial  record  includes  payment  since  organization  to  date  of  more 
than  160,000  death  claims,  covering  disbursements  to  beneficiaries  of  more 
than  $278,000,000.     Its  invested  surplus  funds  on  March  1,  1923.  aggregated 


258 


R  ()   C   K 


I    S    L  A   X    1)       A   R  S    I-:    X   A   L 


over  $26,000,000.  this  record  entitling  it  to  i)e  classed  as  one  of  the  strong 
financial  institutions  of  the  age. 

On  September  30.  1897,  the  head  office  of  the  organization  was  located 
in  Rock  Island.  Its  main  building  was  completed  for  occupancy  January  11, 
1899.  followed  by  the  erection  of  an  annex  of  similar  size  in  1905.  Both  of 
these  buildings  are  owned  and  occupied  exclusively  by  the  Society  in 
handling  its  vast  volume  of  business. 

The  main  office  building  and  annex  contain  the  offices  of  Head  Clerk 
J.  G.  Ray  and  his  force  of  200  employees;  the  offices  of  (ieneral  Attorney 
Truman  Plantz ;  Supreme  Medical  Directors  E.  A.  Anderson  and  B.  E.  Jones; 
Investment  Department  Manager  A.  N.  Bort ;  Executive  Council  chamber. 
and  private  offices  of  the  Head  Consul.  Head  Banker  and  Directors. 

The  general  office  of  A.  R.  Talbot,  Head  Consul,  is  maintained  at  Lin- 
coln, Xebraska.  He  is  the  chief  executive  officer  of  the  society  and  as  such 
has  complete  direction  of  the  field  forces  and  organization  and  promotion 
work.  Head  Clerk  J.  G.  Ray,  of  Rock  Island,  is  the  chief  administrative 
officer,  through  whose  office  is  transacted  all  of  the  financial,  accounting  and 
administrative  work  of  the  organization,  involving  annual  cash  receij^ts  of  ap- 
I)roximately  $26,500,000.  and  disbursements  on  account  of  death  claims, 
averaging  800  monthly,  representing  about  SI. 500.000.  The  Board  of  Di- 
rectors has  charge  of  the  financial  management  of  the  Society,  and.  together 
\\ith  the  Hea<l  Consul  and  Head  Clerk,  comprise  the  ICxecutive  Council,  or 
governing  body  of  the  institiUion.  1  his  Board  consists  of  John  D.  \'olz. 
Chairman.  Indianapolis.  Indiana;  I-'.  E.  Murpiiy.  Leavenw(^rlh.  Kansas;  R.  R. 
Smith.  Kansas  City,  Missouri;  .^.  S.  Tanner,  Minier.  Illinois;  E.  R.  Korns, 
Des  Moines.  Iowa;  E.  J.  Bullard.  Detroit.  Michigan;  and  F.  B.  Easterly, 
Denver.  Colorado. 

The  Publication  building,  originally  erected  in  1908.  was  doubled  in 
size  through  the  addition  of  an  annex  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1922.    The 

official  magazine,  with  a  monthly 
circulation  of  over  1.080.000  copies, 
tlie  mailing-list  and  ])rinting  de- 
partments, under  the  supervision  of 
b-ditor  John  F.  Harris,  require  a 
force  of  ai)i)roxiniately  150  em- 
])1(  lyees. 

Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
has  always  ])een  a  ])atriotic  society. 
It  waived  nonliability  in  the  Span- 
ish-American war  of  1898,  and  paid 
the  claims  of  all  soldier  members 
who  lost  their  lives  in  that  conflict. 
and  this  same  action  was  taken  dur- 
p  hi    .  „R  n„„  iiig  the  World  war  of  1914-18. 

rubhcalion  building  o 


ROCK       ISLAND      ARSENAL 


259 


260 


R  O   C   K       I   S    L   A    \    1)       A    K   S    1-:    X   A   L 


In  addition  ti>  maintaining  local  camps  or  lodges,  it  has  developed  one 
of  the  greatest  semimilitary  organizations  in  its  Foresters,  or  uniformed 
drill  teams,  which  feature  is  of  special  interest  to  young  men. 

Modern  Woodmen  of  America  was  the  first  of  the  great  American 
fraternal  beneficiary  institutions  to  recognize  and  act  upon  the  belief  that 
it  is  the  duty  and  privilege  of  a  fraternal  society  to  save  lives  as  well  as  to 
pay  death  benefits:  that  it  is  more  beneficial  to  its  membership  and  to  society 
at  large  to  expend  thousands  or  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  in  saving 
the  lives  of  members,  than  to  pay  unavoidable  early  losses  running  into  the 
millions.  Recognizing  that  pulmonary  tuberculosis  was  a  leading 
cause  of  death  in  this  country,  it  not  only  joined  as  pioneers  in  the  crusade 
devoted  to  educating  the  people  on  preventive  measures  against  the  disease, 
but  it  established  an  institution  to  take  care  of  Modern  \\'oodmen  sutTering 


Sanatorium  for  treatment  of  tuberculosis,  near  Coioraoi>  ^pririjis 


from  it.  And  so.  on  January  1.  1909,  the  great  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
Sanatorium  was  established  and  openetl  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Cedar,  in  the 
Pikes  Peak  range,  a  few  miles  north  of  the  (iarden  of  the  (iods,  in  the  Colo- 
rado Springs  region.  Here,  at  Woodmen.  Colorado,  was  established  that 
which  has  been  developed  intt»  one  of  the  greatest  life-saving  institutions  in 
the  world,  where  members  of  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  afflicted  with 
tuberculosis  are  treated  and  cared  f»»r  free  of  charge,  llcre  more  than  6,000 
patients  have  been  admitted,  and  the  i)ercentage  of  cures,  improvements,  and 
arrests  of  the  disease  equals  almost  60  per  cent.  Its  daily  capacity  is  240 
patients.  Aside  from  a  modest  sum  realized  from  voluntary  contributions 
by  its  members,  this  Sanatorium,  which  has  a  property  value  of  more  than 
$1,500,000  in  its  present  highly  developed  form  and  perfected  equipment, 
has  been  built  and  is  maintained  from  the  General  fund  of  the  Society,  to 
which  each  member  contrilnites  for  that  i)urpose  not  to  exceed  5  cents  per- 
month. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


261 


Crane  Co. 

On  the  fourth  day  of  July,  1855,  Mr.  R.  T.  Crane  made  the  first  cast- 
ing in  a  little  frame  building  in  Chicago  which  started  a  business  that  has 
developed  steadily  until  today  Crane  Co.  stands  a  leader  in  its  specialized 


pm  ami  ■■■ 

1    r^r"  ( 


Davenport  Branch  of  Crane  Co. 

field  of  power  plant  piping,  sanitation  and  heating  equipment,  with  branch 
houses,  warehouses,  sales  offices,  exhibit  rooms,  and  manufacturing  plants 
in   140  cities  throughout  the  world. 

The  complete  Crane  line  consists  of  many  thousands  of  articles,  such 
as  valves,  pipe  fittings  and  steam  specialties  used  in  piping  equipment  for 
steam,  water,  gas,  air,  oil,  chemicals,  ammonia — in  fact  "anything  for  any 
pipe  line."  In  addition  to  these  products  the  Crane  line  includes  sanitation 
and  heating  materials   for  buildings  of  all   kinds  and   sizes. 

The  completeness  of  the  Crane  line,  coupled  with  the  company's  high 
standard  of  business  ethics,  and  the  maintaining  of  mamifacturing  facil- 
ities to  meet  the  growing  demands  of  the  trade,  have  brought  Crane  goods 
into  world-wide  use. 

The  Davenport  branch  was  established  in  1912,  and,  like  other  Crane 
branches,  is  prepared  to  serve  its  surrounding  territory  with  everything 
required  for  the  piping  and  sanitation  equipment  of  industrial,  commer- 
cial and  private  enterprises. 

An  added  feature  of  the  Davenport  branch  is  a  beautiful  exhi])it  room 
on  the  first  floor  equipped  with  a  representative  line  of  Crane  products, 
and  maintained  for  the  convenience  of  architects,  engineers,  dealers,  and 
prospective  builders.     A  cordial  welcome  awaits  the  visitor. 


262 


ROCK       IS   L  A   X   1)       A    k  S    l".   X   A   I. 


The  Purity  Oats  Company 


With  250  cm])I.>ycs.  a  factory  payn.ll  of  $200.(XK)  annually  and  an  in- 
\estnicnt  in  i)a\eni)()rt  of  one  and  one-half  millions  of  dollars,  the  Purity 
Oats  Company  is  one  of  the  sulistantial  industries  of  the  Tri-Cities.  Its 
outi)Ut  is  distributed  all  o\er  the  United  States,  and  large  (juantities  are  ex- 
ported, especially  to  luirope. 

Nine  thousand  carloads  of  manufactured  goods  arc  shipped  annually, 
when  working  to  capacity.  In  addition  to  oat  products,  stock,  poultry  and 
other  feeds  are  made.  The  capacity  is  1,200  barrels  of  rolled  oats.  225  bar- 
rels of  corn  meal  and  .^00  tons  of  feed  a  dav. 


The  Purity  Oats  Company  started  in  business  in  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in  1909. 
From  the  first  it  put  an  improved  product  on  the  market.  It  had  a  better 
system  of  removing  all  the  hull  and  it  originated  the  "toasty  nut  flavor," 
which  is  still  a  distinctive  feature  of  its  rolled  oats.  It  also  was  the  hrst  to 
pack  its  goods  in  the  cylindrical  pasteboard  container,  or  "can."  which  is 
proof  against  weevils  and  makes  it  possible  for  a  merchant  to  carry  a  stock 
for  months  without  deterioration. 

The  Davenport  i)lant  was  opened  in  191.\  with  5(K)  barrels  daily  capacity. 
In  1909  the  company  became  affiliated  with  the  American  Hominy  Company 
and  the  factory  was  enlarged  to  its  present  size. 

The  American  Hominy  Company  is  the  largest  manufacturer  of  corn 
cereals,  such  as  corn  meal  and  cracked  and  flake  hominy,  in  the  world.  It 
has  eight  ])lants.  ti\e  handling  corn,  one  wheat  and  two  oats,  the  second 
oatmeal  factory  being  the  one  at  Keokuk. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  263 

The  Davenport  Clearing  House  Association 

( B}^  Albert  J.  Jansen) 

The  Davenport  Clearing  House  Association  was  organized  in  1895,  the 
first  actual  business  being  the  exchange  of  checks  on  Tuesday,  September  3, 
of  that  year.  Before  the  association  was  formed  the  banks  were  compelled  to 
spend  an  unnecessary  amount  of  time  on  certain  work,  such  as  the  routine 
business  of  exchanging  checks  drawn  by  the  customers  of  the  various  banks 
on  other  banks  in  the  city.  Through  the  association  this  was  done  in  a 
much  more  satisfactory  manner,  the  clerks  of  the  different  banks  meeting 
at  the  Clearing  House  daily. 

The  association  also  immediately  proved  of  value  in  the  financial  trans- 
actions of  the  city  and  county  treasurer,  which  from  that  time  have  been 
managed  by  all  the  banks,  acting  together. 

First  officers  of  the  association  were:  President,  F.  H.  Griggs;  vice 
president,  L  H.  Sears;  secretary  and  manager,  Charles  Pasche. 

The  first  president  and  vice  president  served  for  five  years,  and  the 
manager  one  year.  During  the  entire  history  of  the  association  the  man- 
agers have  changed  every  year,  because  the  office  of  the  association  rotated 
from  one  bank  to  another  and  the  cashier  or  other  official  of  the  bank  used 
as  headquarters  has  been  chosen  as  manager. 

The  Clearing  House  Association  has  a  very  gratifying  record  to  look 
back  upon,  for  during  the  28  years  that  it  has  been  in  existence  the  banks 
of  Davenport  have  been  more  and  more  loc^ked  upon  as  leaders  in  conser- 
vative and  yet  progressive  banking.  The  high  standing  which  our  banks 
hold  through  the  state  of  K)wa  and  surrounding  states  is  proverbial.  No  de- 
positor in  one  of  them  ever  has  lost  a  [)enny. 

During  the  war,  when  the  government  found  it  necessary  to  raise  enor- 
mous sums  of  money,  the  Clearing  House  was  useful  for  the  purpose  of 
getting  the  sul^scriptions  for  Liberty  loans  and  to  enable  the  people  of 
the  community  to  pay  the  amount  subscribed  in  a  convenient  way. 

The  effectiveness  of  this  organization  had  much  to  do  with  the  fact 
that  while  Scott  county  was  expected  to  subscribe  $16,000,000  for  the  five 
Liberty  loans  issued,  it  actually  did  subscribe  $22,000,000  and  the  total 
number  of  subscribers  was  over  90,000.  During  this  period,  and  after  the 
war,  when  the  government  issued  certificates  of  indebtedness  running  for 
a  short  time,  the  Clearing  House  did  its  best  to  help  secure  the  necessary 
funds. 

The  eight  Ijanks  affiliating  with  the  association  are  the  First  National. 
American  Commercial  ».^  Savings,  Davenport  Savings.  Scott  County  Sav- 
ings, Iowa  National,  Union  Savings,  Citizens  Trust  &  Savings,  and  Security 
Savings.    There  are  in  the  city  besides  four  non-member  banks. 

Present  officers  of  the  association  are:  President.  E.  J.  Dougherty; 
vice  president.  I.  J.  (ireen;     secretary  and  manager,  Plerman  Oetzman. 


264 


K   <  >   <^"    K        1    S    L   A   X   D       A   R  S    !•:   X   A   L 


A  Davenport  Builder  and  Some  ul  His  W  ork 


Upper  left.  Putnam  building.  Upper  right.  W.  C.  Putnam.  Below.  Department  Store  building. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  265 

W.  C.  Putnam  Estate 

One  of  the  noteworthy  blocks  of  buildings  through  the  whole  history 
of  Davenport  has  been  that  on  the  north  side  of  Second  street  between 
Brady  and  Main.  When  Antoine  LeClaire  laid  out  his  first  addition  in 
1839,  he  built  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  Main  the  LeClaire  House,  famous 
all  through  the  pioneer  days.  He  extended  the  buildings  on  to  Brady 
street,  the  stores  being  known  as  LeClaire  Row  and  the  public  hall  as  Le- 
Claire Hall.  Later  on  the  hotel  was  known  as  the  Newcomb  House  and  the 
stores  as  Velie  Block. 

W.  C.  Putnam  bought  the  property  in  1895,  borrowing  money  to  do  so. 
Mr.  Putnam,  who  had  managed  the  property  for  the  owners,  as  his  father 
had  done  before  him,  knew  its  possibilities.  He  also  had  confidence  in  the 
city,  and  immediately  began  imi)r()\  ing  and  developing  the  property. 

When  Mr.  Putnam  died,  in  1906,  he  left  his  entire  estate  in  trust  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Davenport  Academy  of  Sciences,  subject  to  certain  reason- 
able payments  to  his  brothers  and  sister  in  lieu  of  their  statutory  fees  as 
trustees  and  to  a  life  interest  in  the  homestead  to  his  sister.  Li  addition 
he  left  for  the  institution  his  art  collections  and  his  art,  history  and  science 
library. 

The  institution  selected  as  the  beneficiary  of  the  estate  was  founded 
by  a  group  of  scientific  men  back  in  1867.  It  has  had  an  interesting  history, 
l.aiilding  up  scientific  collections,  conducting  explorations,  especially  of 
"mounds,"  publishing  proceedings,  bringing  lecturers  to  the  city,  cooperat- 
ing with  schools  in  advancing  scientific  education,  and  carrying  on  various 
activities  in  the  fields  of  science,  history  and  art.  Instead  of  a  group  of 
scientific  men,  it  has  developed  into  a  public  museum. 

In  order  that  the  institution  should  have  an  assured  income  for  the 
future,  Mr.  Putnam  made  his  gift  in  the  form  of  a  permanent  trust  fund, 
the  principal  of  which  must  remain  intact,  only  the  income  being  at  any 
time  available.  The  bulk  of  the  trust  fund  was  invested  in  the  half  block 
already  described,  in  the  center  of  the  Ijusiness  district  of  Davenport.  On 
this  property  there  still  remained  a  considera1)le  portion  of  the  loan  Mr. 
Putnam  made  for  its  purchase.  Mr.  Putnam  directed  that  the  half  block' 
should  not  be  sold  by  the  trustees  but  that  the  old  buildings  should  be  re- 
placed by  modern  fireproof  structures.  This  the  trustees  have  been  doing 
as  rapidly  as  the  situation  warrantefl.  In  1910  an  eight-story  oftice  building 
was  put  up  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  Main  streets  and  in  1922  a  corres- 
ponding department  store  building  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  Brady.  By 
the  time  the  remaining  center  portion  of  the  property  is  rebuilt  and  the 
necessary  building  loans  retired,  the  trust  will  produce  a  large  annual  in- 
come for  the  museum  and  art  gallery. 


266 


!\  ( )  r  i\ 


I    S   1.  A   X    I)       A    R  S    J-:   N  A   L 


The  Photo  Art  En<!;ravin<2;  &  Electrotyping 

Company 

With  a  few  exccplions.  the  half  tones  ])riiitc(l  in  this  houk  illustrating 
the  story  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal  and  of  the  Tri-tiiics  and  their  commer- 
cial and  industrial  institutions,  are  the  work  of  the   I'holo  Art   hjii^raving  & 

l*!lectrotyi)ing  Cc)m[)any.  This  concern  al- 
so made  many  of  the  photographs,  retouch- 
ed others,  arranged  tlie  groupings  and  did 
other  art  work  connected  with  the  jiuhli- 
calion. 

I^slal)lished  originall}-  to  s])eciali/.e  in 
newspaper  ]ihotography,  zinc  etchings  and 
lalf tones,  tlie  company  has  rapidly  expand- 
ed to  include  all  hranclies  of  commercial 
])hoto  cngra\ing  and  creative  art  in  the 
preparation  of  catalogue  and  magazine  il- 
lustrations and  color  plates.  It  fotind  in 
the  Tri-C'ities  a  line  held  for  its  activities. 
W  hen  it  began  doing  business  in  1910  all 
art  and  ])hoto  engravings  produced  for  Tri- 
C'ity  concerns  was  sent  to  other  cities.  Now 
coni])arati\  ely  little  is  done  elsewhere. 
rroni])t.  de])endal)le  and  efticient  service 
tells  the  stor_\-.  The  advantage  of  having 
work   of   this   sort   done   at   home,   where   it 

I.vnn  H.'KwiiiE  lit  '11  ,  '  i 

^  can  i)e  closely  su])er\iscd  bv  ])atrons,  is  ob- 

vious. 

Much  of  the  business  id'  llic  I'hoto  Art  company  originates  with  the 
big  implement,  automobile  and  other  local  industrial  concerns.  In  the  last 
decade  there  has  been  a  vast  increase  in  the  use  of  ])icturcs  to  sell  goods. 
and  color  work  is  being  luore  and  more  em])loyed  because  of  the  realistic 
effects  that  are  jxissible  with  the  ])rogressive  im])ro\  enient  of  the  art  of  the 
])hoto  engraver  and  ])rinter. 

The  riioto  Art  i'Jigraving  C(»mi)anv  first  occu])ied  a  small  shop  at  1517. 
Second  avenue.  Rock  Island.  In  1912  it  removed  to  2010  Third  avenue, 
wdiere  it  had  more  room  ;md  where,  the  following  vear.  an  electroty])e 
foundry  was  installed.  In  1917  Lynn  II.  lAving.  present  head  of  the  con- 
cern, wdio  was  secretary  of  the  original  company,  i)urchaseil  the  controlling 
interest  and  the  name  was  changed  to  the  ])resent  form. 

Crowded  for  room  for  the  third  time,  the  company  in  1920  removed  to 
1532  Third  avenue,  Moline.  where  it  has  lO.CXX)  feet  of  floor  space  and  its 
capacity  has  been  increased  until  it  now  employs  a  force  of  24  men. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  267 

Seaman  Paper  Company  of  Minnesota,  Inc. 

Twenty  years  ago  Ben  F.  Newhouse,  then  representing  the  Seaman 
Paper  Company  of  Chicago,  made  his  first  trip  into  the  Tri-City  territory. 
Ever  alert  to  find  opportunities  for  marketing  the  products  of  the  large 
concern  with  which  he  was  aftiliated,  he  quickly  formed  a  true  estimate  of 
the  present  buying  power  and  future  possibilities  of  Rock  Island,  Moline 
and  Davenport  and  surrounding  territory,  with  the  result  that  he  then  and 
there  resolved  to  give  close  personal  attention  to  supplying  the  paper  needs 
of  this  particular  field.  This  he  has  done  throughout  the  intervening 
years,  and  even  now,  despite  the  fact  that  eight  years  ago  he  incorporated 
the  Seaman  unit  in  Minnesota,  now  known  as  the  Seaman  Paper  Company 
of  Minnesota,  he  still  makes  his  regular  trips  to  this  locality.  Even  though 
the  Tri-Cities  are  not  in  the  Minneapolis  territory,  Mr.  Newhouse  finds 
much  pleasure  in  returning  periodically  to  his  many  business  friends  here, 
taking  care  of  their  ever-increasing  needs  for  the  kind  of  paper  distributed 
by    Seaman. 

The  Seaman  organization  consists  of  five  major  corporations,  with  head- 
quarters in  Chicago,  New  York,  Minneapolis,  Detroit  and  St.  Louis.  These 
five  units  control  branches  located  in  Milwaukee,  Cincinnati,  Cleveland, 
Toledo,  Buffalo,  Philadelphia,  Boston,  Kansas  City,  Nashville,  New  Or- 
leans, St.  Paul  and  Des  Moines. 

A  number  of  the  country's  largest  paper  mills,  with  an  output  aggregat- 
ing almost  two  and  one-half  millions  of  pounds  daily,  depend  upon  the 
Seaman  organization  for  the  absorption  of  their  tremendous  tonnage.  More 
than  thirty  national  magazines  depend  upon  Seaman  for  their  paper,  not 
forgetting,  of  course,  the  thousands  of  printers  and  newspapers  which  also 
find  in  the  Seaman  organization  a  trustworthy  source  of  supply. 

During  the  World  War  Seaman  took  a  leading  part  in  supplying  the 
government  with  paper  for  the  targets  made  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  and 
distributed  to  all  army  cantonments  in  this  country.  A  special  quality  of 
paper  was  used  for  this  purpose  and  many  carloads  of  it  were  delivered  at 
the  Arsenal.  The  paper  handled  by  this  organization  includes  all  grades 
and  adapted  to  all  purposes  for  which  paper  is  used. 

Consumption  of  paper  in  the  Tri-City  district  has  made  a  remarkable 
increase  in  the  years  since  Mr.  Newhouse  secured  his  first  order  in  that 
field.  It  is  a  tribute  to  his  ability,  integrity  and  enterprise,  as  well  as  to 
the  high  class  of  the  product  which  he  distributes,  that  the  Seaman  organi- 
zation has  more  than  held  its  own  in  the  competition  for  the  privilege  of 
supplying  this  market. 


268 


R  ()   e-   K       IS    L  A   X   1)       A    k   S    I-    X   A    1. 


Davenport's  Leading  Hotels 

Citizens,  statesmen  and  rei)resentatives  of  the  United  States  (iovern- 
inent.  when  \isiting-  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  either  for  hnsiness  or  for  pleasure, 
always  voice  their  i)raise  for  tiie  splendid  hotel  acctunniodations  offered  by 
the  Tri-Cities'  leading  hotels.  Hotel 
Hlackhawk  is  a  model  fireproof  building 
containing  4(X)  guest  rooms,  each  equipped 
with  private  bath,  toilet,  and  circulating 
ice  water  and  with  servidor  service,  also 
ofTering  a  fine  cafe  and  coti'ee  shop.  Hotel 
Davenport  has  155  fireproof  rooms,  about 
100  of  which  have  i)rivate  ])ath.  The  Dav- 
enport (irille  is  also  a  popular  eating  place. 
These  splendid  hotels  are  operated  by  the 
Miller  Hotel  Company,  an  Iowa  ctuicern. 
also  operating  Hotels  Fort  Des  Moines  and 
Savery.  in  Des  Moines,  and  the  Hotel  Han- 
ford,  at  Mason  City. 

The  catering  facilities  of  Hotel  Black- 
hawk  are  equal,  if  ULit  superior,  to  those 
of  any  hotel  in  tiie  country,  and  its  large 
lounge.  Mezzanine  floor  and  ball  rc^om 
have  furnished  a  magnificent  setting  for 
many  charming  social  affairs  held  in  Dav- 
enport. 


Hotel  BUrkhawk,  Davenport 


The  high  standard  of  hotel  service  and  cuisine  maintained  in  the  Miller 
hotels  sets  a  pace  for  quality,  and  the  hotels  operated  by  this  company  are 
easily  among  the  most  "talked  of"  and  certainly  the  best  "thought  of"  hotels 
in  the  country.     Residents  in  the  Tri-Cities  are  mighty  proud  of  these  hotels 

and  take  pride  in  recommending 
ilicm  to  their  friends,  and  it  nat- 
urally follows  that  visitors  look 
forward  with  delight  to  their  so- 
journ at  Hotel  Blackhawk  and  Ho- 
tel Daveni::)rt,  because  they  are 
clean,  wholesome  and  well  man- 
aged. These  hotels  are  finding 
increasing  favor  with  automobile 
parties,  especially  those  on  week- 
end outings  from  Chicago  and 
other  large  centers,  who  come  to 
\isit  Rock  Island  Arsenal  and 
Hot.i Davenport.  Davenport  Other    local    attractions. 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R  S   E   N  A  L 


269 


The  Don  Sales  Company 


Distributors  for  the  Reo  line  in  sixteen  Illinois  and  Iowa  counties,  the 
Don  Sales  Company  is  one  (tf  the  largest  automol)ile  agencies  in  the  Tri- 
City  community,  maintaining  establishments  in 
Rock  Island,  111.,  and  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa. 

Elbert  G.  Don,  founder  of  the  concern,  is  a 
son  of  the  late  David  Don,  a  pioneer  Rock  Island 
merchant,  who  dealt  in  hardware,  stoves,  etc..  and 
who  retired  in  1908.  after  an  honorable  career  of 
half  a  century  as  a  retailer.  The  son  was  one  of 
tlie  first  in  Rock  Island  t(^  make  the  selling  of 
automobiles  a  business,  and  his  was  the  first  sales- 
room in  the  city.  He  has  been  in  the  game  since 
1909,    having    handled    several    standard    makes    of 

cars.     For  more  than  a  de- 

...  .  .         ,  .  Elbt-rt  G.   Don 

cade  he  has  been  ni  lousi- 
ness   for    himself,    latterly    on    Fourth    avenue    be- 
tween  Seventeenth   and    l^ighteenth   streets,  where 
in   1920  he   purchased  the   Fred   Sauermann  build- 
ing, which   is  the  company's  present  home. 

The  Reo  agency  was  secured  in  1916.  The 
Don  Sales  Company  was  formed  in  1917,  Arno  J. 
Tremann,  also  a  member  of  an  old  Rock  Island 
family,  becoming  interested.  The  Cedar  Rapids 
branch,  which  was  opened  in  1919,  is  in  charge  of 

Arno  .1.  Tre.na„n  ^^  ^' ■    TrenKUm. 


The  Como  Hotel 


Under  the  management  of  L.  A".  E. 
Moore,  who  became  its  proprietor  in  1921, 
the  Como  Hotel,  Eighteenth  street  and  Third 
a\enue.  Rock  Island,  has  acquired  a  reputa- 
tion for  good  ser\ice  at  reasonable  rates 
which  has  brought  it  into  high  favor  with 
transients  visiting  the  ITi-Cities.  The  Como 
has  105  rooms.  It  is  modern,  and  convenient- 
ly located. 


270 


ROCK       I   S   L  A   X   D       A   R  S    I-:   X   A   L 


The  Eckman  Studio 


A    number    .-i    ilie    best    illustrations    in 
this    book    are    products    of    the    F-ckman 

Studio,  located 
in  the  Fort  Arm- 
strong' theatre 
building.  Rock 
Island.  Quarters 
it  occupies  were 
especially  plan- 
ned for  Mr.  l-^ck- 
man  at  the  time 
the  building  was 
constructed  and 
are  thoroughly 
modern,  as  well 
as    centrally    lo- 

John  Eckman.  Photographic  Arti.t  CateCl. 


The  Rock  Island  Sand  and  Gravel  Company 

The  R(^>ck  Island  Sand  iJt  (iravel  Company  was  organized  and  received 
a  certificate  of  incorporation  from  the  Secretary  of  State  of  Illinois  on 
April  17th.  1902,  to  conduct  a  business  for  the  production  of  sand  and  gravel, 
and  to  deal  in  mason  supplies  and  coal.  They  started  out  with  a  small 
pump  boat  and  towing  boat  combined  and  several  small  l)arges.  In  1906  a 
larger  boat  was  necessary,  and  from  year  to  year  new  and  larger  barges 
were  built.  In  1910  a  locomotive  crane  was  installed  on  the  levee  between 
Xineteenth  and  Twentieth  streets  and  hop])ers  and  concrete  wall  were  built 
t(»  facilitate  the  handling  of  their  ])roducts. 

The  increased  demand  for  screened  and  washed  sand  and  gravel  justified 
this  company  installing  a  washing  and  screening  ])lant.  which  plant  was 
built  in  the  spring  of  1922.  at  Mill  street  and  Twenty-first  avenue.  Rock 
Island.    This  plant  has  a  capacity  of  1000  tons  i)er  day. 

The  officers  of  this  company  are  Chas.  |.  Larkin.  president.  Cieorge  H. 
Richmond,  vice-president;  W  ni.  M.  McConochie.  treasurer;  and  H.  1.  Larkin, 
secretary  and  general  manager. 


R  C)   C  K       I   S  L  A   N  D       .V   R  S   E   N  A  L 


271 


Mercy  Hospital,  Davenport 


The  Catholic  Messenger 

The  Catholic  Messenger  was  estaljlished  in  Daxenport.  Iowa,  in  1882, 
by  the  late  Thomas  L.  Sharon.  After  his  death  in  1888  the  management  was 
assumed  by  his  l^rother,  Fred  B.  Sharon,  who  is  still  in  charge  as  publisher. 
The  Messenger  is  the  official  organ  of  the  Catholic  Diocese  of  Davenport 
and  of  its  Bishop,  Rt.  Re\-.  James  Davis.  For  many  years  after  its  founding 
it  was  the  only  Catholic  paper  puldished  in  Iowa.  It  maintains  all  depart- 
ments necessary  for  a  first-class  family  newspa])er.  It  covers  besides  all  the 
world's  news  affecting  the  church.  Catholic  acti\ities  in  the  social,  political, 
economic  and  industrial  tields. 

The  Messenger  is  affiliated  with  the  National  Catholic  ^\'elfare  Council 
and  uses  its  extensive  news  service,  through  which  it  obtains  the  latest  and 
most  reliable  news  of  the  church  throughout  the  world,  gathered  by  its 
efficient  correspondents,  'idie  Messenger  is  also  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Press  Association.  It  is  published  weekly  at  a  subscription  rate  of  $2.50 
per  year. 

The  present  staff  of  the  Messenger  consists  of  Fred  B.  Sharon,  pub- 
lisher; E.  M.  Sharon,  editor;  M.  E.  Sharon,  city  editor,  and  C.  L.  Stebbins, 
advertising  manager. 


272  K  ( 


ROCK       ISLAND       A   R  S   E   N  A  L  273 

Map  of  Tri-City  Community 

u!rba,"tcrn'turv  '^"^  ^"l""-''  '^'"'-■^  ''--t  Moline.  Bclten.Iorf  and  su- 


274  ROCK       IS   L  A   X   D       A    R   S   l".   X   A   L 

City  of  Rock  Island 

I*<>|iiilati<>n      (I!fi0    <-eiiMixl — :i."i,I77.  .M  iini<-ii>iil   appropriat  inns   for    tisral   year   I9'i'i 

Area — ten     siiiiare    niilt'!*.  >.?!. >,..>!. 

r..«al     hankiiiK     resources     (Dee.     .;9.     Urii)—      """''7*  ..l"''^'o'..•','l'J^'"'    "'    "'""'' 'l'"''»-^     <•■'"'••• 


#i:. !>!.->. ,-)«!♦. 


of     I!»-,",') — S8-,'.(MMI. 


Postal    rereipts    (!!»,•-)— ?,'59.6»4.  Served    by    main    lines    of   three   railroad    HyR- 

tenis.     (.     R.     I.     X     v.,     (.    It.     A;     Q.     iind 
MiU-i.    of    streets — \il.  ^■     >|     ^.    st.    I'. 

Miles    of    pavement      h..  Has   four-mile   frontajce   on    navicable   stream 

Miles    of    sewers — Xi.  and    water    freiKlit    outlets    Houtli    an<l    east. 

Miles   of   water   mains — .le.  Midway    between    CliiraRo    on    east,    and    Des 

.Miles    of   street    railwav   tracks— .'8.7.  Moines    on    west.    Twin-t  ities    on    nortli    and 

St.    I.ouis   on    south. 


Miles    of    main    line    railroad    tracks — 13. 
.Miles    of    other    railroad    tracks — H3.7. 


Klevation    altove    sea    level — 'tH^   feet. 


.          .           .     .  ,  I'ereentaue   of   population    native    born    whites 

Number    of    homes    in    «'ity — <,!(10.  "iH  I 

Number    of    owned    homes — 1,3.36.  j<p,jt    „j    ^„^f     densely     populat.tl    .ounty    in 

-ArreaRe    of    parks — 83. .5.  state    except    Cook. 

.\sseswed    valuation    of    propert.v    (19'i'i) — ?12,-  One    of    f<iur   adjoining    c-ilies    with    combined 

417,87.'>.  population   of    I.VI.IHH). 


OCK  ISLAND  is  a  healthy,  i::r()\ving  American  city  of  35,OCX)  stmls. 
Its  location  and  g^eneral  facilities  arc  ideal  fur  purposes  of  com- 
merce and  industry.  Its  social  advantages  are  such  as  men  every- 
^y^^  where  are  seeking".  Its  scenic  features  are  unexcelled  in  the  ujjper 
f  '^-^  '^"'  Mississippi  valley.  Its  past  is  rich  in  historic  lore.  Its  present 
is  full  of  throbbing  human  interest.  Its  future  holds  a  promise  than  which 
none  is  more  bright. 

As  part  of  a  conniiunity  composed  of  four  adjoining  cities  which,  with 
their  suburbs,  have  a  combined  population  of  150,000,  it  is  able  to  offer 
inducements  not  found  outside  of  the  larger  centers. 

In  presenting  Rock  Island's  points  of  excellence  it  is  not  necessary 
to  indulge  in  extravagant  statements.  Its  people  are  content  to  rest  their 
cause  on  a  plain  recital  of  the  facts.  Facts  also  give  a  basis  for  comparison 
much  more  satisfactory  than  any  free-hand  sketch  could  oti'er. 

Rock  Island  occu]>ies  a  point  of  land  formed  by  the  junclion  of  Rock 
river  with  the  Mississijipi.  (  )n  the  north  and  west  it  has  a  frontage  of 
more  than  four  miles  on  na\  igable  water.  Rock  river  is  on  the  south  and 
Moline  on  the  east.  Across  the  Mississippi  at  the  north  is  Da\enport. 
Lying  opposite  the  east  half  of  the  city  is  the  island  from  which  its  name 
was  taken  and  which  is  occupied  by  the  greatest  Arsenal  and  military 
storehouses  in  the  world.  Here  is  assembled  the  largest  amount  of  govern- 
ment property  anywhere  in  the  United  States  outside  of  Washington,  I). 
C.    The  official  inventory  shows  a  value  of  more  than  $350,000,000. 

On  the  banks  of  the  river  are  the  inain  lines  and  terminals  of  three 
great  railroad  systems,  having  belt  line  connections  with  all  parts  of  the 
business  and  industrial  sections  of  the  city,  and,  with  the  several  branches 
centering  here,  giving  unexcelled  transportation  service  in  all   directions. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  275 

The  country  round  about  is  rich  in  agricultural  resources  and  highly 
developed.  A  number  of  permanent  highways  giving  access  to  it  already 
have  been  built  and  an  aggressive  policy  of  improvement  is  being  pursued. 

The  Mississippi  and  its  navigable  tributaries  offer  the  advantages  of 
water  transportation,  while  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  canal,  otherwise 
known  as  the  Hennepin,  connecting  with  the  latter  stream  just  south  of  the 
mouth  of  Rock  River,  opens  a  way  east  to  the  (jreat  Lakes  for  water-borne 
freight.  The  Mississippi  at  this  point  is  spanned  by  two  bridges,  one  used 
exclusively  by  two  railroad  systems  and  the  other  a  combination  two-deck, 
double-track  structure,  the  largest  in  i)oint  of  carrying  capacity  north  of 
St.  Louis. 

Rock  Island  has  a  population,  according  to  the  1920  census,  of  35,177, 
an  increase  over  1910  of  10,842,  or  44.6  per  cent.  The  average  increase  by 
decades  in  the  last  70  years  has  been  61.5  per  cent,  with  a  minimum  of  16.9 
and  a  maximum  of  199.8  per  cent,  shown  in  1860.  The  city  is  the  seat  of 
government  of  Rock  Island  county,  having  a  population  of  92,297  and 
averaging  217  people  to  the  square  mile,  a  density  of  population  not 
equalled  in  the  state  outside  of  Cook  county.  The  adjoining  counties  of 
Whiteside,  Henry  and  Mercer,  together  with  Rock  Island,  have  a  total 
population  of  192,433,  an  increase  in  the  ten  years  prior  to  1920  of  11  per 
cent.  Rock  Island  county's  increase  from  1910  to  1920  was  31.1  per  cent 
and  its  average  increase  by  decades  over  a  period  of  30  years  has  been  30 
per  cent. 

Twenty  million  people  live  within  a  radius  of  300  miles  of  Rock  Island. 

There  is  no  more  accurate  index  of  a  city's  greatness  than  the  record  of 
its  postal  receipts.  In  Rock  Island's  case  a  vigorous  and  steady  growth 
is  indicated.  The  totals,  taken  approximately  for  five-year  periods  from 
1889,  are  as  follows: 

1889  $  23.376 

1895  , 28,936 

1900 : 64,894 

1905 80,523 

1910  143,804 

1915  158,716 

1920  240,919 

1922  2.59,684 

Increase  in  business  and  resources  of  the  six  banks  of  Rock  Island  also 
testifies  to  the  city's  expansion  in  commercial  and  industrial  lines.  This 
was  only  slightly  affected  by  the  war  and  was  not  materially  reduced  after 
its  close,  as  bank  statistics  for  1913,  1919  and  1922  given  below  will  show: 

Capital  Surplus  and  Tjoniis    and  Total 

Stock                       Profits  Iiivestuiciits  Deposits                 Resources 

Feb.  5.   1913 $    900.000  $    710,311.S0  $  8,001.306.20  .$  S,767,44S.14  $10.,563.072.96 

March  4.  19]9_-              900.000                    978.89:5. (i7  12,9(K,1:«.43  1;?,6.59,04;10!I  1  ,141  674  73 

Dec.   29,   1922—            1,000,000                  1.147.0S().6S  15,144,577.80  15,2<KS,7ti2.4:{  17.915.569..58 

Rock  Island's  area  is  ten  square  miles,  of  which  seven  and  one-half 
square  miles  are  platted,  and  two  and  one-half  acre  property.     Within  its 


276  ROCK       IS   L  A   X   1)       A   R  S   E   N  A   L 

limits  there  are  six  parks  totaling  83'!.  acres.  One  of  these.  Douglas  park, 
centrally  located  and  city  owned,  has  12  acres  and  is  dedicated  to  outdoor 
sports  having  a  fully-equipped  baseball  diamond,  with  5.000  seating  capacity. 
The  parks  are  well  distributed  so  that  petii)le  living  in  all  jKirts  of  the  city 
may  enjoy  their  use. 

Public  improvements  in  Rock  Island  are  up  to  standard  and  additions 
to  them  are  being  made  at  a  rate  which  shows  a  normal  increase  year  by 
vear.  There  are  127  miles  of  streets,  of  which  67  are  paved.  Originally 
most  of  the  paving  was  of  brick,  but  asphalt  has  rapidly  come  into  favor  in 
late  years.  An  extensive  resurfacing  program  has  been  undertaken  and  is 
partly  ct^mpleted.  The  mileage  of  sidewalks  is  more  than  double  that  of 
the  i)ave(l  streets.  Standard  specifications  are  followed  in  laying  paving 
and  walks  and  inspection  is  thorough. 

The  city  has  a  municipal  water  plant  valued  at  one  and  one-half  millions 
of  dollars.  Raw  water  from  the  Mississippi  is  purified  by  the  most  ap- 
proved processes.  The  filters,  sedimentation  and  storage  basins  are  located 
on  the  bluff,  giving  the  business  part  of  the  city  on  the  flat  below  the 
benefit  of  gravity  pressure.  Pressure  for  the  hill  district  is  provided  by  a 
standpipe  125  feet  high.  The  capacity  of  the  plant  is  6.000.000  gallons  daily 
and  there  is  abundant  room  for  enlargement.  Water  rates  are  unusually 
low.  the  minimum  meter  rate  being  70  cents  per  month,  with  14  cents  per 
hundred  for  the  first  10.000  cubic  feet  each  quarter  and  a  graduated  scale. 
water  in  excess  of  40.000  gallons  per  quarter  being  furnished  for  6  cents 
per  hundred.  There  is  also  a  flate  rate.  The  waterworks  is  on  a  paying 
basis  and  practically  debt-free.  There  are  56'j  miles  of  water  mains  and 
53  miles  of  sewers.  Topographical  conditions  make  satisfactory  drainage 
by  gravity  possible  in  all  parts  of  the  city. 

Public  utilities  give  good  service  at  rates  comparing  favorably  with 
those  in  other  cities  of  Rock  Island's  class.  Proximity  <^f  Moline  and 
Davenport,  with  unified  ownership  and  management  of  most  utilities,  affords 
marked  advantages  both  in  service  and  cost  to  patrons.  The  combined 
street  railway  system  of  the  tri-cities  long  has  been  accounted  one  of  the 
very  best  in  the  country,  and  the  superior  facilities  of  the  electrical  and 
gas  plants  are  attested  by  the  manner  in  which  the  World  War  emergency 
was  met.  This  conuuunity  was  the  only  one  in  the  United  States,  with 
the  single  exception  of  Chicago,  where  the  placing  of  war  orders  was  not 
limited  on  account  (jf  an  insufficient  supply  either  of  gas  or  power,  or  both. 

The  Tri-City  Railway  company  has  28.7  miles  of  track  in  Rock  Island, 
and  its  repair  sh(.ps  and  its  largest  car  barns  are  in  the  city.  Its  single 
fare  rate  is  10  cents,  but  identification  cards  are  sold  monthly  for  50  cents, 
giving  the  jjurchaser  the  privilege  of  riding  for  a  nickel. 

There  are  453  miles  of  single  wire  power  distribution  lines  in  the  city 
and  200.3  miles  of  gas  mains  of  3-inch  equivalent.    The  power  rate  is  6  cents 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  277 

per  kilowatt  hour  for  the  first  50  kilowatt  hours  per  month  and  a  graduated 
scale  down  to  L5  cent  for  100,000  or  more  kilowatt  hours  per  month.  The 
light  rate  is  8  cents  for  the  first  50  kilowatt  hours  and  4  cents  for  all  current 
in  excess  of  3,050  kilowatt  hours  per  month.  The  gas  rate  is  $L30  per 
thousand  for  the  first  100,000  cui)ic  feet  and  $1  for  all  gas  used  in  excess  of 
500,000  cubic  feet  per  month.  The  number  of  electric  customers  was  8.897 
and  of  gas  customers  7,709  at  the  close  of  1922. 

The  Illinois  Bell  Telephone  company  has  6,300  telephones  in  operation 
in  the  city,  seventy  per  cent  being  residence  stations.  The  residence  rate 
for  individual  lines  is  $4  per  month  and  the  ])usiness  rate  $8,  with  free 
connection  with  the  adjoining  cities. 

It  may  be  added  that  the  policy  of  the  utility  companies  always  has 
been  progressive,  anticipating  and  encourging  expansion  of  the  city.  This 
has  been  especially  true  of  the  Tri-City  Raihvay  Company. 

Rock  Island  is  served  by  the  main  east  and  west  line  of  the  C.  R.  I.  &  P., 
better  known  as  the  "Rock  Island"  road  ;  the  Chicago-Kansas  City  line  of 
the  C.  M.  &  St.  P.,  and  the  main  St.  Louis-St.  Paul  line  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q. 
The  first  named  operates  a  branch  from  the  city  to  Peoria,  and  the  Rock 
Island  Southern  taps  the  rich  country  to  the  south,  reaching  Monmouth  and 
Galesburg.  Two  of  the  city's  railroad  terminals  are  in  the  business  district 
and  the  third  is  within  easy  reach  of  it.  Railroad  tracks,  for  the  most  part, 
occupying  the  river  bank,  exceptional  facilities  for  transfer  of  freight  to 
and  from  boats  are  afforded  and  dangerous  crossings  are  few.  There  are 
in  the  city  13.2  miles  of  main  railroad  line  and  ?>2>.7  miles  of  other  tracks. 
including  yards  of  the  C.  R.  I.  &  P.,  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  and  the  Rock  Island 
Southern. 

Assessed  valuation  of  property  in  Rock  Island  for  1922  was  $12,417,875. 
This  is  about  half  of  the  actual  valuation.  The  1921  tax  rate  was  $6.74  per 
hundred  dollars.  Of  this  $2.54  was  for  city  and  $2.75  for  school  purposes. 
The  city's  bonded  indebtedness  at  the  close  of  1922  was  $82,000,  or  only 
about  one-eighth  of  the  maximum  allowed  by  law.  The  school  bonded 
indebtedness  was  $400,000. 

With  its  location,  transportation  facilities  and  other  advantages  Rock 
Island  offers  unexcelled  opportunities  for  commercial  and  industrial  de- 
velopment. It  does  a  brisk  business  in  wholesaling  and  retailing.  Two 
million  people  live  within  a  radius  of  100  miles.  The  manufacturing  enter- 
prises within  its  limits  number  about  fifty,  with  a  combined  invested  capital 
of  more  than  $15,000,000  and  with  3,500  male  and  500  female  workers,  these 
being  the  figures  for  1922.  The  output  of  its  factories  includes  agricultural 
implements,  lumber  products,  tractors,  oil  cloth  and  textiles,  stoves,  registers 
and  .furnaces,  hardware  and  plumbing  specialties,  structural  steel,  farm 
lighting  plants,  paints,  electrical  fixtures,  men's  clothing,  rubber  footwear, 


278  ROCK       1    S   L  A   \    I)       A    K   S   E   N   A   L 

candies,  automobile  accessories  and  pipe  organs.  These  are  in  addition 
to  the  products  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal  shops,  in  which  many  Rock  Island 
workmen  are  employed.  Rock  Island  has  abundant  room  for  factory  ex- 
pansion, with  sites  level  and  low  in  price,  reached  by  street  cars  from  the 
business  district  in  ten  minutes,  and  on  paved  streets,  licit  line  railway 
service,  and   in  some  cases  water  transportation,  is  a\ailable. 

W  itli  its  neighl)oring  cities.  Rock  Island  shares  the  advantages  of  water 
power  attordetl  by  rapids  in  both  the  Mississippi  and  Rock  rivers.  With 
a  minimum  flow  of  the  two  streams  there  is  a  potential  energy  of  100,000 
horse  power,  of  which  little  more  than  one-tenth  has  been  developed. 
I'ossibilities  in  this  direction  greatly  enhance  the  industrial  jirestige  of  the 
community.  Large  quantities  of  fuel  within  a  radius  of  60  miles  make  prac- 
tical location  of  auxiliary  ])ower  plants  at  the  mines,  w'ith  economical  elec- 
trical transmission.  Coal  in  commercial  quantities  is  mined  near  enough 
to  be  delivered  by  truck,  while  three  railroad  lines  bring  supplies  from  the 
great  bituminous   fields  of  central  and   southern   Illinois. 

Labor  conditions,  from  the  standpoint  of  both  employer  and  employe, 
are  exceptionally  good.  Diversity  of  industry  gives  a  variety  of  training, 
and  skilled  workmen  are  available  for  nearly  all  standard  lines  of  manufac- 
turing. What  Rock  Island  happens  to  lack  usually  may  be  found  in  adjtnn- 
ing  cities.  On  the  other  hand,  the  worker  failing  to  find  a  job  at  his  trade 
in  Rock  Island  may  secure  one  within  easy  reach  in  t»ne  of  the  other 
municipalities,  and  so  unemployment  is  materially  lessened.  There  has 
been  a  marked  freedom  from  serious  labor  troubles,  wages  compare  favor- 
ably with  those  elsewhere,  and  the  cost  of  li\ing  is  below  the  average  in 
communities  offering  equal  advantages.  The  Tri-City  Federation  of  Labor, 
with  an  affiliating  membership  of  between  seven  and  eight  thousand,  includ- 
ing 63  unions,  maintains  headquarters  in  Rock  Island.  There  is  no  pre- 
dominating foreign  element  in  the  city.  FJghty-tvvo  and  six-tenths  per  cent 
of  the  people  are  nati\e  born,  and  of  tlic  others  northern  luiropcan  strains 
form  a  large  majority. 

In  the  distribution  of  its  many  fine  homes  Rock  Island  is  unusually 
democratic.  It  has  no  exclusive  residence  district,  i)erhaps  because  there  is 
no  one  part  of  the  city  ])rceminently  favored  for  that  purpose.  There  are 
so  many  gcnxl  locations  and  builders  of  the  better  class  of  houses  have  made 
their  own  selections  according  to  individual  tastes.  Latterlv  there  has  been 
a  disposition  to  favor  the  bluffs,  of  which  there  are  se\eral  miles  overlooking 
the  Mississijipi  and  Rock  river  valleys.  Lxce])tional  opi)ortunities  for 
landscaping  are  afforded,  with  the  option  of  northern,  western  or  southern 
views  of  valleys  and  streams,  and  woo(led  hills  in  the  back  ground.  Most 
of  the  city  is  built  on  the  level  bottom  land  but  the  hill  district  is  growing 
rapidly.  One  may  place  his  home  in  the  valley,  on  the  hillside  or  on  the 
level  upland,  150  feet  above  the  river,  lie  may  locate  it  in  the  oj)en  to  get 
maximum  sunshine,  or  among  the  natural  forest  trees,  as  he  elects.     A  few 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  279 

sites  remain  within  convenient  walking  distance  of  the  business  center.     All 
residence  localities  are  well  served  by  trolley  lines. 

In  Rock  Island  the  home  owning  class  is  in  the  majority.  There  are 
4.313  rented  homes  and  4,336  owned,  according  to  a  late  survey.  Of  the 
owned  homes  2,347  are  free  from  encumbrance. 

Building  ordinances  enforced  for  a  number  of  years  have  checked  the 
tendency  to  cheapen  construction  as  building  costs  advanced  and  a  better 
class  of  moderate  priced  homes  has  resulted.  The  rate  of  building  has 
been  fairly  uniform  year  after  year.  In  1922,  which  was  somewhat  below 
normal,  120  new  dwellings  were  erected  and  the  total  expenditure  for 
buildings  was  $1,624,621.  There  are  two  building  and  loan  associations  in 
the  city  and  the  banks  pursue  a  policy  calculated  to  encourage  the  construc- 
tion of  homes.  Rents  range  ratiier  lower  than  in  other  cities  of  the  same 
class,  the  average  for  an  ordinary  hve-room  house  being  about  thirty  dollars 
per  month.     There  are  no  slum  districts  in  the  city. 

Rock  Island  never  has  been  wanting  in  appreciation  of  the  importance 
of  its  public  schools.  Like  most  other  growing  cities,  it  has  had  a  problem 
in  keeping  its  school  building  program  up  with  the  increase  in  juvenile 
population,  but  it  is  believed  that  a  permanent  solution  now  has  l)een  reached 
and  that  henceforth  there  will  be  ample  room.  Since  the  World  War  the 
people  have  voted  additional  revenue  to  meet  the  greatly  increased  cost  of 
building  and  conducting  the  schools.  Most  of  the  needs  of  the  outlying 
sections  have  now  been  met  and  means  are  in  sight  to  provide  another  large 
high  school.  Tlje  city  schools  are  conducted  under  a  special  charter  which 
gives  some  advantages  not  conferred  under  the  general  law.  School  affairs 
are  administered  by  a  non-partisan  board  of  education.  School  sites  have 
been  purchased  on  favorable  terms  in  districts  which  were  in  process  of  being 
settled  and  in  other  w^ays  the  needs  of  the  public  have  been  anticipated  so 
far  as  was  possible. 

There  are  fifteen  grade  schools,  high  school  and  manual  arts  school  in 
the  city's  system.  Three  of  the  grade  schools  are  departmental.  In  addi- 
tion there  are  half  a  dozen  denominational  schools  with  a  combined  attend- 
ance of  more  than  700.  The  recent  growth  of  the  public  school  system  is 
best  shown  by  comparative  statistics  on  attendance  and  expenditures: 

Attendance:     1914—4,440,  1919—4,975,  1922—5,685. 

Expenditures:      1914— $292,749,    1919— $303,096,    1922— $396,672. 

The  public  schools  employ  181  teachers  and  the  value  of  school  prop- 
erty is  placed  at  $1,296,410,  of  which  $980,179  is  in  buildings,  $172,542  in 
lands  and  $115,975  in  erjuipment. 

Augustana  College  is  the  principal  school  maintained  by  the  Augustana 
Lutheran  Synod  of  North  America,  embracing  practically  all  of  the  United 


280       ROCK   ISLAND   ARSENAL 

States.  It  occupies  thirty-six  acres  of  land  at  the  edge  of  the  bluff  in  the 
east  end  of  Rock  Island  and  its  buildings  and  grounds  represent  a  value  of 
nearly  a  niilliun  dollars.  Its  students  number  1.000  men  and  women  and  it 
has  graduated  an  equal  nunil)er  into  the  ministry. 

\'illa  de  Chantal  is  a  girl's  boarding  and  day  school,  \\  itli  primary  and 
advanced  departments,  conducted  by  the  Sisters  ui  the  X'isitation.  a  Roman 
Catholic  order.     Its  students  come  from  many  states. 

Organizations  for  the  promotion  nf  spiritual  welfare  are  liberally  sup- 
ported in  Rock  Island.  A  careful  survey  indicates  a  church  affiliation  of 
eighty  per  cent  of  the  population.  A  healthy  interest  is  maintained  in  all 
the  auxiliary  lines  of  religious  endeavor.  There  are  twenty-hve  Protestant 
churches,  including  practically  all  denominations,  hve  Roman  Catholic 
churches  and  three  Jewish  synagogues.  The  V.  M.  C.  A.,  occupying  a  fine 
new  home,  has  a  membership  of  665  and  the  Y.  W.  C.  A.  a  membership  of 
1,000. 

There  are  a  number  of  benevolent  institutions.  St.  Anthony's  hospital, 
conducted  by  the  Franciscan  Sisters  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  is  a  150- 
bed  institution,  and  most  of  it  is  new  and  of  modern  construction  and  ap- 
pointment. The  West  End  Settlement  is  conducted  in  the  industrial  dis- 
trict and  covers  a  large  field.  Bethany  Home  cares  for  homeless  children,  be- 
ing supported  mostly  by  subscription.  The  Rescue  Mission,  similarly 
financed,  relieves  the  urgent  wants  of  homeless  adults,  giving  them  food 
and  shelter  free,  or  at  a  nominal  cost.  There  is  a  municipal  tuberculosis 
sanitorium  in  which  patients  are  treated  without  charge.  A  welfare  asso- 
ciation is  maintained  by  private  citizens  as  a  central  agency  for  the  dis- 
pensing of  charity. 

Fraternal  organizations  receive  much  attention  in  Rock  Island.  Masons, 
with  an  aggregate  membership  of  2,000;  Odd  Fellows,  with  700;  and  Eagles, 
u  ith  1.200.  have  homes  of  their  own,  while  Elks,  with  1.000  and  Knights  of 
Columbus,  with  650.  maintain  clubrooms  and  both  expect  to  see  plans  for 
new  buildings  soon  realized.  Woodmen  of  the  World  and  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose  are  among  other  fraternals  strongly  represented.  \'eterans  of  the 
three  wars  have  active  camps. 

The  city  is  headquarters  for  the  Modern  AN'oodmen  of  America,  and 
there  are  several  flourishing  local  lodges  here,  one.  Camp  26.  being  the 
largest  in  the  jurisdiction.  Here.  also,  is  the  head  office  of  the  Woodmen 
auxiliary,  the  Royal  Neighbors  of  America.  The  Modern  Woodmen  is 
the  largest  fraternal  organization  in  the  world,  and  the  Royal  Neighbors  the 
largest  conducted  exclusively  by  women.  The  two  societies  employ  more 
than  500  people  in  their  head  offices.  The  Modern  Woodmen,  with  more 
than  14.000  camps,  operates  in  all  states  in  the  union  except  two,  and  in  four 
Canadian  provinces.  It  has  over  one  and  one-half  billions  of  dollar*  of 
insurance  in  force  and  its  total   disbursements  to  be4ieficiaries  in  the   forty 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  281 

years  of  its  existence  have  amounted  to  $280,(X)0.(X)0.  It  has  an  invested 
surplus  of  $26,000,000.  The  society  maintains  a  tuberculosis  sanitorium  near 
Colorado  Springs,  Colo.,  w^ith  a  capacity  of  240  patients,  which  is  free  to 
members  and  is  accounted  one  of  the  most  successful  anywhere. 

The  Royal  Neighbors  has  a  membership  of  nearly  half  a  million;  it 
operates  in  45  states  and  maintains  7,200  local  camps.  It  is  on  a  sound 
fmancial  basis.  In  addition  to  adult  and  juvenile  insurance,  it  provides  a 
fund  for  the  assistance  of  members  who  are  temporarily  in  need.  Both 
Woodmen  and  Royal  Neighbors  publish  ofificial  organs  which  are  given 
nation-wide  circulation  to  the  number  of  one  and  one-half  million  copies 
monthly. 

Business,  civic  and  social  organizations  are  numerous  and  active.  Lead- 
ing among  them  is  the  Rock  Island  Chamber  of  Commerce,  with  a  member- 
ship of  600,  drawn  from  nearly  every  field  of  business  and  professional 
activity.  A  paid  secretary  and  stafif  of  assistants  is  maintained  and  the 
organization  is  always  alert  to  promote  the  city's  industrial  and  commercial 
welfare.  Other  organizations  of  the  same  nature  include  the  Rock  Island 
club.  Retail  Business  Men's  association.  Industrial  commission,  Real  Estate 
board.  Builder's  Exchange,  Rotary  club,  Kiwanis  club  and  Business  and 
Professional  Women's  clul). 

Women  of  Rock  Island  take  an  active  part  in  civic  affairs  and  in  the 
promotion  of  the  arts.  The  chief  agency  through  which  they  work  is  the 
Rock  Island  Woman's  club,  with  a  membership  of  1,400.  Local  and  Tri- 
City  organizations  from  time  to  time  sponsor  the  appearance  of  the  world's 
leading  instructors  and  entertainers  in  music,  literature  and  the  drama.  The 
favorite  place  for  such  programs  is  Augustana  college  gymnasium,  with 
seating  capacity  of  5,000,  remarkable  acoustic  properties,  and  centrally 
located  for  Tri-City  patrons. 

Rock  Island  has  two  libraries,  one  public  and  the  other  an  adjunct  of 
Augustana  college.  Building  of  the  former  was  made  possible  through  the 
generosity  of  Frederick  Weyerhaeuser.  The  latter  was  presented  to  the 
college  as  a  memorial  by  the  heirs  of  F.  C.  A.  Denkmann,  who,  wath  Mr. 
Weyerhaeuser,  laid  in  Rock  Island  the  foundation  of  the  great  lumber 
industry  which  still  bears  their  names.  The  public  library,  which  was  built 
in  1903,  has  more  than  37,000  volumes  and  the  collection  is  growing  at  the 
rate  of  several  thousand  yearly.  There  are  12,000  card-listed  borrowers  and 
the  number  of  books  issued  for  home  use  in  1922  was  165,621.  There  are 
two  main  branches,  one  in  the  West  End  Settlement  and  the  other  in  the 
Washington  school,  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  city.  Collections  of 
books  are  also  placed  in  dift'erent  rooms  of  the  various  public  schools. 

Rock  Island's  independent  recreational  facilities  are  second  to  none, 
and   they   are   supplemented   by   those   of    its    neighboring   cities,    giving   a 


282  ROCK       I  S  L  A  X   D       ARSE  N  A  L 

range  of  offerings  to  suit  any  taste.  It  has  scenic  attractions  not  excelled  in 
the  valley  of  the  upper  Mississippi,  invitinji^  drives  and  well  kept  parks.  Of 
its  public  parks  there  are  six.  with  a  combined  area  of  83.5  acres.  ( )ne  of 
these,  Long  \'iew  park,  is  held  to  l)e  one  of  the  best  impro\cd  and  most 
sightly  in  the  central  west.  It  comprises  40  acres.  Then  there  is  Black 
Hawk's  Watch  Tower  on  the  high  bluff  on  Rock  River,  which  is  one  of 
the  historic  spots  of  northern  Illinois.  Rock  Island  .Arsenal  grounds  are 
beautiful  and  threaded  with  miles  of  fine  roadways.  The  Rock  Island 
Arsenal  Golf  club's  course  is  famous  and  has  been  the  scene  of  noted 
tournaments.  There  are  fine  facilities  for  outdoor  Ijathing  in  summer  and 
for  skating  in  winter.  F'ishing  and  boating  are  popular  and  organizations 
are  maintained  to  promote  both.  Amateur  sports  of  all  kinds  flourish  under 
the  direction  of  the  schools.  V.  M.  C".  A.  and  other  organizations.  The  city 
also  has  commercial  basel^all  and  football  teams  in  season.  Boxing  is  well 
supported.  Public  playgrounds  are  operated  for  the  benefit  of  the  children 
in  all  parts  of  the  city  and  in  summer  play  is  supervised. 

Rock  Island  is  headquarters  for  the  corps  of  United  States  engineers 
in  charge  of  improvement  and  maintenance  of  the  Mississippi  river  and 
adjacent  waters  from  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri  river  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Wisconsin.  Offices  are  in  the  Federal  building.  A  staff  of  twenty-five  men 
is  employed,  in  addition  to  those  manning  the  government  fleets  used  in 
river  work,  the  government  boat  yard  in  the  Hennepin  canal  near  Milan 
and  the  government  drydock  at  Keokuk.  Through  this  office  from  $700,000 
to  $1,000,000  is  expended  annually,  depending  upon  the  size  of  congressional 
appropriations,  mainly  for  the  purpose  of  creating  and  maintaining  a  channel 
depth  in  the  Mississippi  at  all  times  of  at  least  six  feet.  Accomplishing 
of  this  end  is  expected  to  greatly  facilitate  the  eflforts  of  those  endeavoring 
to  develop  the  freight-carrying  possibilities  of  the  stream.  An  outdoor 
force  of  from  800  to  1.000  men  is  kej)t  at  work  on  river  improvement  in  this 
section  during  the  summer  season. 

In  addition  to  the  river  engineers,  permanent  offices  are  maintained  in 
the  federal  building  for  the  United  States  revenue  bureau,  department  of 
commerce.  dei)artment  of  justice,  treasury  de])artment  and  postal  dej^artment. 
The  structure  is  three  stories  in  height  and  represents  an  investment  of 
$225,000.    The  local  postoffice  occupies  the  entire  gmund  floor. 

Rock  Island  has  adequate  fire  ])rotection.  Its  fire  department,  which  is 
imder  civil  service,  has  six  stations,  with  thirty-two  men  and  standard 
motorized  equipment  throughout.  There  are  two  pumps,  one  (»f  1.000 
gallons  capacity  ])er  minute  and  the  other  700  gallons.  Fire  insurance 
premiums  are  based  on  a  Class  Three  rating.  Average  fire  losses  during  the 
last  decade  have  been  $174,222  yearly.  In  case  of  a  general  fire  aid  from 
Moline  and   Davenport  can  be  secured    in    10  minutes. 

Streets  and  alleys  of  the  city  are  well  kept.  The  sum  of  $30,000  is  ex- 
pended annually  for  this  i)urpose.  The  city  maintains  an  incinerator  for 
garbage  disposal. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  283 

There  is  a  state  free  employment  bureau  in  Rock  Island,  Avhich,  during 
the  last  five  years,  has  found  work  for  an  average  of  75.569  men  and  women 
annually. 

A  live  county  farm  bureau  is  in  existence,  with  headquarters  in  Rock 
Island.  This  organization  has  a  membership  of  700  and  maintains  a  paid 
advisor.  There  is  also  a  home  bureau  reaching  800  women  in  the  rural 
sections,  and  having  a  competent  director.  Fine  results  have  been  obtained 
by  both  organizations. 

Not  the  least  important  evidence  of  Rock  Island's  attractiveness  is  its 
popularity  as  a  convention  city.  This  ha^  resulted  in  the  holding  there  in 
recent  years  of  many  state  and  a  number  of  national  meetings. 

HISTORICAL 

It  was  from  the  island,  now  the  site  of  the  greatest  manufacturing 
Arsenal  and  military  storehouse  in  the  world,  that  the  county  of  Rock  Island 
and  city  of  Rock  Island  received  their  name,  and  in  the  order  named.  Rock 
Island  county  was  created  by  act  of  the  Illinois  legislature  Feb.  9,  1831,  and 
the  first  election  of  county  officers  took  place  July  5,  1833. 

The  city,  or  as  it  was  then  known,  town  of  Rock  Island  did  not  come 
into  being  till  1841,  when  the  legislature  changed  the  name  of  the  village  of 
Stephenson  to  Rock  Island  and  provided  a  charter,  under  which  the  first 
election  was  held  in  July  of  the  same  year.  A  city  charter  was  adopted  by 
the  legislature  and  approved  Feb.  12,  1849,  and  served  as  a  plan  of  municipal 
government  till  Feb.  16,  1857.  when  one  better  suited  to  the  needs  of  the 
growing  community  was  provided.  This  was  in  force  till  1879.  Nov.  4  of 
that  year  the  people  voted  to  incorporate  under  the  general   law. 

The  site  of  the  present  city  of  Rock  Island  was  a  favorite  one  with  the 
Indians  as  far  back  as  written  history  of  the  locality  goes.  Once  it  was 
inhabited  by  the  tribes  of  the  Illini.  The  Sacs  and  Foxes,  first  known  to 
have  dwelt  along  the  lower  St.  Lawrence  in  Canada,  came  into  this  part  of 
the  country  from  southern  Wisconsin,  driving  the  Illini  remnants  southward 
and  taking  possession  about  the  year  1722.  A  village  was  built  on  Rock 
river  in  the  southern  part  of  the  present  city  of  Rock  Island,  the  site  being 
favored  because  it  was  protected  by  water  on  three  sides  and  there  was  a  high 
blufif  at  hand,  now  known  as  Black  Hawk's  Watch  Tower,  which  served  as  a 
look-out  to  scan  the  country  round  about  for  the  approach  of  hostile  bands 
of  warriors.  This  village,  known  to  historians  as  Saukenuk,  became  one  of 
the  most  populous  found  by  the  early  white  explorers. 

Being  a  strong,  courageous  people,  wisely  led,  the  Sacs  and  Foxes 
prospered  and  more  than  held  their  own  in  the  wars  they  carried  on  with 
other  nearby  tribes.  They  took  some  part  in  an  expedition  against  the 
Americans  at  Cahokia  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  their  village  was  burned 


284  K  ()   r    K        1    S   I.   A    X    1)       A    R   S   K   N   A   L 

in  reprisal.  Again  in  the  war  of  1812  the  Indians  were  active  on  the  side  of 
the  British.  From  that  time  on  there  were  many  clashes  with  the  white 
settlers  till  finally  Black  Hawk,  who  became  chief  early  in  the  nineteenth 
century,  was  driven,  with  his  folK)vvers,  across  the  Mississippi  as  a  result 
of  the  Black  Hawk  war  of  1832. 

'J'he  first  house  (»n  the  present  site  of  Rock  Island  was  built  in  1826,  on 
the  river  bank  near  the  south  end  of  the  Rock  Island  railroad  bridge  at 
the  foot  of  Twenty-ninth  street,  by  Colonel  Da\enport  and  Russell  I^'arnham. 
This  structure,  later  known  as  the  house  of  John  Barrel,  was  the  seat  of 
the  original  county  government  and  the  center  of  the  settlement  known  as 
Farnhamsburg.  The  town  of  Stejjhenson  was  laid  out  under  legislative 
authority  in  1835  to  be  the  county  seat.  It  conij)rised  twenty  blocksi  adjacent 
to  the  present  court  house  square.  It  was  later  enlarged  to  include 
Farnhamsburg  and  other  contiguous   territory. 

Protection  offered  by  Fort  Armstrong  against  Indian  depredations 
attracted  settlers  to  the  locality  in  the  early  days.  The  place  became  a 
favorite  crossing  point  on  the  Mississippi,  partly  because  of  the  presence 
of  the  fort  and  j)artly  because  the  stream  was  narrow  and  the  banks  high, 
making  approach  easy,  and  providing  good  landings.  After  the  Indians 
were  gone  the  land  nearby  was  rapidly  taken  up  and  the  settlement  grew 
apace.  First  comers  were  hardy  American  stock  traveling  by  wagon,  on 
horse  and  afoot  from  the  east,  or  by  boat  from  the  south.  There  were 
migratory  waves  from  southern  Illinois  and  Kentucky,  from  Indiana,  Ohio 
and  Pennsylvania.  Some  from  the  eastern  states  came  down  the  Ohio  river 
and  up  the  Mississippi. 

Advent  in  1854  of  the  Chicago  (.K:  Rock  Island  railroad,  the  first  to  reach 
the  Mississippi  from  the  east,  gave  Rock  Island  a  pronounced  boom.  The 
l)lace  for  a  time  was  the  sole  junction  i)oint  on  the  river  of  rail  and  water 
transportation  lines.  Population  grew  raj)idly.  Business  increased.  In- 
dustries, provided  witli  shipping  facilities  which  were  exceptional  in  that 
day,  sprang  up.  The  village  became  a  city.  Rock  Island's  fame  spread, 
reaching  e\cn  across  the  Atlantic.  I'>om  northern  luirope  came  immigrants, 
the  most  desirable  class  that  e\er  landed  upon  our  shores.  They  came  look- 
ing for  permanent  homes  and  found  them  here,  building  up  the  city  and 
I'ecoming  ])art  of  it.  Many  of  the  ])ioneer  families  were  of  (lerman,  Irish, 
Scandinavian  or  other  northern  iun-oi)can  stock.  Tlic  cast  cud  of  the  city 
was  settled  largely  by  Swedish  families  and  their  descendants,  overflowing 
from  Moline.  Later  came  Belgians  and  a  scattering  representation  from 
Mediterranean  countries.  The  advent  of  those  from  across  the  sea,  however, 
has  been  gradual  and  they  have  been  most  thoroughly  assimilated.  The 
native  born  element  always  predominated  heavily  and  does  to  this  day. 

Rock  Island's  fonndation  was  laid  by  men  of  unusual  force,  enterjjrise 
and   wisdom.     The}'    had    high   ideals  and   sound   judgment.     The   city   was 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  285 

never  suffered  to  lag  behind  in  the  procession.  It  always  has  been  rated 
as  a  leader  in  every  field  of  endeavor.  It  never  was  a  one-man  or  a  one- 
industry  town.  The  diversity  of  its  interests  has  been  a  leading  factor  in 
its  steady  progress. 

A  heavy  shipping  business  was  done  by  water  in  the  palmy  days  of  the 
Mississippi  steamboat,  in  the  fifties,  sixties  and  se\enties.  The  decline  of 
the  water  carriers  found  the  community  well  supplied  with  railroad  facili- 
ties to  take  their  place,  so  that  the  city  really  was  the  gainer  by  the  change. 

When  the  river  w-as  the  artery  down  which  flowed  the  pine  to  build 
homes  for  the  people  of  the  central  west  the  lumber  industry  in  Rock  Island 
throve  as  it  did  in  few  other  cities.  But  passing  of  the  log  and  luml)er  raft 
into  history  was  not  attended  by  a  decline  in  manufacturing  prestige,  for  the 
reason  that  other  industries  had  been  i)rogressively  develoi)ed  as  the  supply 
of  timber  declined  and,  with  n]ore  diversified  e)pportunities  for  investment 
and  employment,  a  broader  foundation  for  community  prosperity  resulted. 

Since  the  earliest  days  Rock  Island  has  gone  forward  steadily  in 
v/ealth  and  population.  At  no  stage  in  its  history  has  its  momentum  been 
materially  checked.  It  has  encountered  the  usual  obstacles,  but  in  all  cases 
they  have  been  o\ercome  and  in\aluable  lessons  learned  in  the  operation. 
The  manner  in  which  it  has  met  and  mastered  its  problems  is  the  best 
possible  assurance  for  its  future.  As  a  city  of  35,000  its  resources  and 
opportunities  are  no  less  outstanding  than  they  were  when  it  was  a  village 
before  the  railroad  came.  And  there  is  not  the  slightest  reason  to  doubt 
that  the  years  to  come  will  bring  to  it  growth  and  prosperity,  even  as  did 
the  years  that  are  gone. 


286 


R  ()  e"   K       1   S   L  A   N   n       A   K   S   F.   N   A  T. 


City  ol  Davenport 


ropiihition     (IJt'iO    renNiiH) — .'»6."'i7. 

Aroa — Ifi.'il    f<<|iiiir<*    nilleH. 

MilfH   of   !.lrert>. —  IK8. 

MileH   of    pii\ciiifrit — 1''0. 

MllcH   of   ».«•«. TH— !:<:<. 

>Iile»    of    «iit«T    iiiaiio — I  I  J. 

.Miles    of    stri'ct    niilwa.v    Irai-ks — r>0. 

Milfs    of    main    line    railroad    tracks — 'i\.!i. 

MileH    of    other    traekw — .i',/.). 

A«TeaKe    of    parks — 750. 

Total    liankinR    resourees — $55,:)45,l)(i<l. 

Postal    reeeipls     (I!»>>) — S4Kl,r.72.;>l. 

AssesHecl    valuation    of    property    (1!>22) — $(>!>,- 

«>(i7.(»-.>n. 
Value    of    moneys   and    credits — $I5,IH;:<,450. 

Municipal      appropriations      for      flNral      year 
I  !»•»•.' — SKIH,H(M(. 


Number  of  liomes  <l!»iO) — 13,042. 

Number    of    families — I  1. 388. 

I'ercentaKc    of   owned    homes — 75. 

Niiniher   of   native   born    white    residents — IH,- 
SK5. 

Number    of    rcKistered    \oters     (l!».J«) — iK.OOO. 

Iowa's    prin<'ipal    eastern    jtatewa.v. 

Served    by    three    Kreat    railroad    n.vstems   iind 
two    interurbans. 

Has  seven  miles  frontaKe  on  na\iKabIe  water. 

Largest  cit.v   between   Cbicai^o  and  I>es  ^loines 
and    St.    Louis   an<l    T win-<'it ies. 

.Most    important    JHbbinK   and   retail    center   in 
its    tcrritor.v. 

One    of    four   ad.joininK   cities    with    combined 
liopiilation    of    l.'iO  000. 


IRST  in  Iowa  in  wealth  and  third  in  population,  Davenport,  the 
state's  main  gateway  to  the  east,  is  showing  other  cities  in  the 
upper  Mississippi  valley  how  to  do  it.  The  source  of  its  strength 
lies  in  the  strong  common  sense  of  its  peoi)le,  their  capacity  for 
organization,  and  their  will  to  go  forward.  These  influences, 
operating  for  more  than  three-quarters  of  a  century  in  a  favored  environ- 
ment, have  won  victories  in  commerce  and  industry  and  over  the  material 
obstacles  to  municipal  growth  and  greatness  such  as  few  communities  can 
boast.  They  have  resulted  in  an  impetus  which  even  the  reconstruction 
period  following  the  World  War  did  not  \isibly  check. 

Davenport  is  the  "big  brother"  in  the  Tri-City  group.  It  enjoys  the 
advantage  incident  to  its  location  west  of  the  Mississi))pi,  being  the  con- 
verging i^oint  of  lines  of  trade  and  travel  from  the  great  west,  upon  which 
it  takes  the  customary  toll.  It  excels  in  facilities  for  the  distribution  of 
goods,  l)oth  by  wholesale  and  retail,  and  for  the  accommodation  of  transients. 
Its  people  ha\e  expressed  their  faith  in  its  future  by  liberal  support  of 
improvements,  both  i)rivate  and  public.  With  their  surplus  resources  they 
have  invested  in  enter])rises  which  carry  the  city's  name  and  influence  far 
beyond  its  immediate  environs.  It  is  a  social  and  recreational  center,  noted 
also  for  its  educational  and  research  work  and  for  the  extent  to  which  it 
patronizes  the  arts. 

Nature  bountifully  endowed  the  jjlace  where  Davenport  has  been  builded 
with  those  things  which  make  life  desirable.  Well  rounded  hills  rise  not 
too  abruptly  above  the  Mississippi,  flowing  past  at  the  south,  i)rovi(ling  a 
site  well  calculated  to  dis])lay  the  structural  handiwork  of  man  and  supply- 
ing vantage  points  from  which  to  see,  as  well  as  to  be  seen.  Safe  above 
flood  water,  the  lower  levels  give  ample  room  for  business  and  industrial 
development,  while  the  rolling  uplands  and  the  hillsides,  with  their  southern 
exposure  and  perfect  air  drainage,  are  ideal  for  residence  purposes. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  287 

Here  the  early  settlers  found  water  to  carry  goods,  to  generate  power 
and  supply  the  needs  of  a  city.  Here  was  stone  and  sand  and  gravel  and 
lumber,  floated  down  from  the  great  pineries  of  the  north,  with  which  to 
build.  Fuel  above  ground  in  the  native  forests  was  at  hand  and  beneath 
the  ground  not  far  away  coal  in  unlimited  quantity.  Here  was  abundant  rain- 
fall and  a  climate  not  too  cold  and  not  too  warm.  Stretching  away  to  the  west 
for  hundreds  of  miles  was  fertile  land,  the  product  of  which  must  ever  flow 
eastward  to  be  exchanged  for  manufactured  goods,  which  in  turn  must  flow 
westward  by  the  same  route. 

To  this  place,  so  highly  favored,  came  first  the  explorers,  then  the  traders 
and  then  the  pioneer  settlers,  pressing  back  the  copper-hued  tribes.  The 
first  whites  were  of  the  cleanest  and  most  enterprising  native  stock.  Later 
comers  included  the  best  that  Europe  had  to  offer,  the  German  element 
predominating.  To  the  river  bank  opposite  came  the  first  railroad  reaching 
out  from  the  east,  and  here  the  first  bridge  was  thrown  across  the  Mississippi. 
Out  of  the  city  the  first  rails  pushed  across  the  prairie  westward  to  the 
Missouri  and  on  toward  the  mountains. 

And  so  grew  the  city  of  Davenport.  Since  the  first  house  was  built 
each  year  has  brought  it  added  population  and  wealth.  It  boomed  but  once, 
during  the  fifties,  when  in  a  single  decade  it  advanced  out  of  the  village 
class.  At  other  times  it  just  expanded  gradually  and  steadily  and  along 
safe  and  enduring  lines.  Let  the  United  States  census  reports  tell  the 
story : 

1S50 
Population    1  848 

Percent  of  Increase 

Davenport  is  the  seat  of  government  of  Scott  county,  with  a  population 
of  73,952,  which  also  has  shown  a  steady  growth,  averaging  19.7  per  cent 
in  the  last  three  decades.  With  the  adjoining  counties  of  Clinton,  Cedar 
and  Muscatine  added  to  that  of  Scott  there  is  a  combined  population  of 
163,925. 

Numbers  are  significant,  but  increase  in  population  in  the  case  of 
Davenport  has  been  accompanied  by  material  prosperity  that  is  even  more 
striking.  The  city  now  has  twelve  banks  and  their  total  combined  re- 
sources at  the  close  of  1922  amounted  to  $55,945,060.  Total  annual  bank 
clearings  are  approximately  half  a  billion.  The  following  figures,  taken 
from  reports  of  all  banks  in  the  city  and  totalled,  oft'er  the  best  possible 
evidence  of  financial  stability  and  growth,  both  in  the  World  War  period 
and  during  the  era  of  reaction  following  it : 

Capital  Surplus    and  Loans  and  Total 

Stock  Prutits  Investments  Deposits  Resources 

Feb     r,,     1913__-          .$1,000,000  !«2,1S4.2.'^1  $20,470,124  $.'i0.824.0.-.7  .$;50  000  502 

Mch.  4,  1019 2. 150,000  ;?,0S1,C05  42,090,371  44,0(50,713  51,i»71,025 

Dec.  20,  1022 2,000,000  4,015,734  48,144,843  40,0(54,952  55,945,060 


1860 

1870 

1880 

1890 

1000 

1010 

1920 

11,2(57 

20,038 

21,831 

26,872 

35,2.^4 

43,028 

.'56,727 

500.7 

77.8 

8.0 

23.1 

31.2 

22.1 

31.8 

288  R  ()   C   K        I    S   I.  A   X    D       A    K   S    F.   X   A    L 

'I'lie  <,^rc.\vtli  of  the  citv's  postal  receipts  also  is  unusual,  and  accurately 
reflects  the  expansion  of  its  business  and  conuuercial  interests.  Xote  the 
show  i nor  |)y  ti\e-year  periods  since  ISXX): 

I'.rio ?  sr..-oo.oo 

UKT.    11S.S7N.T.'. 

I'.iio   —     ls;'.,t;_'".t.7;: 

l!»i:>   i;7l.:tiiJ.iis 

1«.I20    1. 44(l..Vi7.H 

V.rS2    4si:>72.!(l 

Assessed  valuatiim  of  property  in  the  city  of  Davenport  for  the  collec- 
tion of  revenues  for  1923  was  $69,667,020.  Municipal  taxes  were  levied  upon 
approximately  one-half  of  this  sum  and  upon  $15,603,450  listed  in  moneys 
and  credits,  at  the  rate  of  2.7  mills  on  the  dollar.  Municipal  api)ropriations 
f..r  1922  were  $848,300. 

Davenport  takes  a  high  place  in  the  character  and  extent  of  its  public 
improvements,  and  travelers  commend  it  for  its  well-kept  appearance.  It 
has  188  miles  of  streets  and  63  miles  of  alleys.  One  hundred  twenty  miles 
of  streets  and  alleys  are  paved.  Pavement,  especially  in  the  business  dis- 
trict, is  kept  in  good  condition  by  prompt  repairs  or  resurfacing  when 
necessary.  Streets  as  originally  laid  out  are  wide  enough  to  meet  the  needs 
of  an  ever  growing  traffic.  The  coming  of  the  motor  vehicle  did  not  cause 
the  inconvenience  so  often  sullered  by  other  cities  which  had  been  planned 
on  less  liberal  lines. 

Davenport  lies  admirably  for  purposes  of  drainage.  There  are  20 
miles  of  storm  drains  and  113  miles  of  sewers.  The  river  furnishes  a  con- 
venient outlet.  Clogging  and  overflowing  of  drains  and  sewers  rarely  takes 
place. 

Connecting  uj)  with  the  city's  streets  are  eight  priiuary  highways  leading 
out  into  the  country  on  the  Iowa  side,  which  are  being  permanently  surfaced, 
mostly  with  brick.  Scott  county  has  in  hand  and  nearing  completion  at  the 
close  of  1922,  a  road  improvement  program  involving  an  outlay  of  $3,000,000 
and  calling  for  work  on  all  primary  thoroughfares  centering  in  the  county 
seat.  Similar  work  undertaken  on  the  Illinois  side  promises  early  comple- 
tion of  hard  roads  east,  north  and  south.  To  reach  the  Illinois  side  Daven- 
port enjoys  the  use  of  the  two-deck,  double  track  Rock  Island  bridge,  govern- 
ment owned  and  maintained,  and  the  only  one  between  St.  Louis  and  St. 
Paul  on  which  no  tolls  are  charged. 

Davenjxirt  and  liettendorf.  its  eastern  suburb,  together  have  seven  miles 
of  frontage  on  navigable  water.  A])i)rcciating  the  advantage  of  water  trans- 
portation and  believing  in  the  future  of  the  Mississippi  in  this  connection. 
Davenport  has  taken  the  lead  among  upper  river  cities  in  levee  improvement. 
Nearly  a  mile  of  sea  wall  has  been  built,  at  any  i)oint  of  which  freight  may 
be  transferred  by  gravity  or  power  from  rail  to  boat  and  vice  versa,  doing 
away  with  expensive  hand  labor.  There  are  also  1,000  feet  of  ])aved  sloping 
levee.     The  Davenport  Levee  Commission  was  organized  for  this  undertak- 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  289 

ing.  It  issued  bonds,  which  are  being  retired  by  rentals  from  reclaimed 
land,  $205,000  being  outstanding  at  the  close  of  1922.  A  municipal  wharf 
has  been  constructed  for  a  packet  terminus.  Most  of  the  reclaimed  land, 
which  lies  adjacent  to  the  business  district,  has  been  transformed  into  an  at- 
tractive park,  known  as  LeClaire  park,  and  comprising  11  acres.  Area  of  all 
the  land  reclaimed  when  the  sea  wall  is  extended  down  stream  to  the  present 
city  limits  will  be  125  acres.  It  is  estimated  that  the  cost  of  the  whole 
improvement  will  be  $1,000,000.  The  entire  benefit,  which  will  be  much  in 
excess  of  that  sum,  will  accrue  to  the  city.  Work  already  done  has  wonder- 
fully bettered  the  appearance  of  the  waterfront,  making  it  a  mcidel  which 
is  being  copied  elsewhere. 

The  area  of  Davenport  is  16.24  square  miles,  of  which  10  square  miles 
are  platted.  About  three-fourths  of  the  city  lies  on  the  bluff,  reaching  a 
maximum  altitude  of  150  feet  above  the  river  and  of  728  feet  above  sea  level. 
The  lower  land,  well  adapted  to  business  and  industrial  uses,  is  adequately 
served  by  rail,  as  well  as  water  transportation  facilities.  Railroads  parallel 
the  river  the  entire  length  of  the  city  and  branch  out  into  all  parts  of  the 
industrial  district  at  the  west  end.  Three  lines  cross  the  city  transversely, 
striking  back  into  the  country  in  different  directions.  In  addition  to  the 
trunk  lines  of  the  C.  R.  I.  &  P.,  C.  B.  &  Q.  and  C.  M.  &  St.  P.  roads,  there 
are  the  D.  R.  I.  &  N.  W..  a  belt  line,  and  two  interurbans  of  the  C.  D.  &  M., 
one  operating  up  the  river  to  Clinton  and  the  other  down  to  Muscatine. 
There  are  within  the  city  28.5  miles  of  main  line  and  35.9  miles  of  other 
tracks.  In  addition  to  the  latter  there  are  nine  miles  of  switch  tracks  form- 
ing the  terminal  yards  of  the  C.  M.  &  St.  P.  at  Nahant.  just  west  of  the 
municipal  bounds.  There  are  32  steam  passenger  trains  in  and  34  out  daily. 
Interurban  trains  number  22  each  way.  In  1922  the  railroads  received  26,991 
carload  lots  of  freight  and  forwarded  11,124  carloads. 

Davenporters  are  fortunate  in  the  character  of  the  pul)lic  utilities  which 
serve  them.  Standards  are  unusually  liigh  and  costs  compare  favorably 
with  those  in  other  cities.  The  Tri-City  Railway  &  Light  Company  owns 
and  operates  street  railways,  gas  and  power  plants  and  a  central  heating 
plant  supplying  steam  to  office  and  business  blocks  in  the  down-town  district. 

The  water  plant  is  privately  owned  and  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  country. 

For  many  years  Davenport  has  had  exceptionally  good  street  railway 
facilities.  It  claims  the  first  electric  car  regularly  operated  in  the  United 
States.  There  are  now  50  miles  of  street  railway  track.  An  8-cent  fare  is 
charged. 

Facilities  for  the  production  of  gas  and  electrical  energy  for  power  and 
illumination  are  considerably  in  advance  of  the  city's  normal  needs,  and 
it  is  the  policy  of  the  company  always  to  so  maintain  them.  There  are  205 
miles  of  gas  mains,  reduced  to  a  three-inch  equivalent,  and  703  miles  of  wire 
for  power  distribution.    The  lumiber  ()f  gas  and  electricity  users  is  significant 


290  ROCK       1  S  L  A   X  D       ARSE  X  A  L 

of  the  high  standards  of  living  prevailing.  There  are  13.379  of  the  former 
and  13.368  ..f  the  latter.  The  1920  census  showed  12.042  hemes  and  14.388 
families. 

The  Davenport  Water  Company  installed  one  of  the  first  mechanical 
filters  used  in  the  middle  west.  Its  raw  supply  is  taken  from  the  channel 
of  the  Mississippi  at  a  point  well  above  the  center  of  the  business  district, 
and  so  effective  is  the  process  of  purification  that  turbidity  is  entirely  elim- 
inated at  all  times,  and  the  supply  always  has  met  the  most  exacting  tests. 
Large  storage  reservoirs  on  the  bluff  give  the  business  section  the  advantage 
of  gravity  pressure.  There  are  114  miles  of  water  mains  and  they  are  of 
greater  capacity  than  is  commonly  used.  Capacity  of  the  filters  is  9.000.000 
gallons  per  day,  twice  the  average  consumption,  and  the  cajiacity  of  the 
pumps  is  31.000.000  gallons. 

Davenport  has  but  one  telephone  system  and  through  it  is  given  free 
connection  with  adjacent  cities  on  the  Illinois  side  and  also  with  villages  and 
many  rural  subscribers  in  Scott  county.  There  are  1.904  business  and  9.279 
residence  stations  connecting  with  the  local  exchange.  Rates  are  $4  per 
month  for  residence  and  $8  per  month  for  business  service. 

Davenport's  business  interests  are  well  balanced.  It  is  not  preeminently 
an  industrial  city,  yet  it  excels  in  certain  lines  of  manufacturing,  and  there 
has  been  a  marked  expansion  in  this  direction  in  recent  years.  The  1920 
census  showed  219  industries,  with  value  of  yearly  output  of  $55,000,000  and 
5,271  workers  employed.  The  two  years  following  saw  a  material  increase 
in  the  number  of  concerns,  but  there  has  been  no  detailed  survey  since  that 
made  by  the  federal  government.  Among  the  factories  are  several  marketing 
part  of  their  output  in  foreign  countries  and  a  larger  number  distributing 
products  on  a  nation-wide  scale.  These  concerns  carry  the  city's  name  abroad, 
giving  it  invaluable  advertising. 

Thousands  of  freight  cars  are  made  annually  in  the  Rettendorf  shops, 
the  largest  single  industry,  with  30  acres  under  roof.  The  city  leads  in  the 
making  of  washing  machines,  metal  wheels,  brooms,  ready-cut  houses  and 
motion  picture  projectors.  Other  products  finding  a  universal  market  are 
light  locomotives,  pumps,  type-setting  machines,  cereal  products  and  pearl 
buttons.  Foundry  products,  cigars,  candy,  bakery  products,  overalls,  optical 
goods,  ladders,  industrial  gases  and  packing  house  products  are  also  exten- 
sively manufactured.  There  is  a  $2,000,000  cement  mill  on  the  river  bank  just 
above  the  city  and  another  one  is  planned,  to  be  located  a  few  miles  below 
town. 

Davenport  enjoys  unusual  advantages  which  appeal  to  manufacturers. 
Arriong  them  are  presence  of  water  power,  nearness  of  fuel  and  raw  ma- 
terials and  facility  and  economy  of  distribution  in  a  territory  of  exceptional 
buying  power.    There  is  also  a  large  supply  of  well-trained  labor,  in  which 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  291 

the  city's  resources  are  supplemented  l)y  those  of  its  nearby  neighbors  on 
the  Illinois  side. 

Good  transportation  facilities  and  favorable  freight  rates  also  help 
enhance  the  city's  prestige  as  a  jobbing  and  retail  center.  There  are  120 
wholesale  establishments,  with  an  annual  business  estimated  at  $50,000,000. 
They  employ  700  traveling  salesmen. 

Retail  concerns  include  six  department  stores,  eight  ladies'  ready-to- 
wear,  23  clothiers,  20  shoe  stores,  193  groceries  and  30  drug  stores. 

The  city  is  headquarters  of  the  Federal  System  of  Bakeries,  w^ith 
hundreds  of  shops  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  is  the  home  of 
several  large  construction  companies  prepared  to  execute  almost  any  kind 
of  a  contract  in  any  part  of  the  country,  and  doing  an  annual  business  run- 
ning up  in  the  millions. 

Davenport  has  many  fine  buildings.  Among  the  most  imposing  are  the 
Blackhawk  hotel,  with  416  rooms,  largest  in  the  state,  the  $1,000,000  Kahl 
office  building  and  the  new  eight-story  Parker  department  store,  which  has 
no  superior  in  middle  western  cities.  A  $1,000,000  Masonic  temple  is  in 
course  of  construction.  Among  the  public  buildings  are  a  central  high  school 
of  unusual  size  and  completeness,  an  imposing  court  house,  fine  city  hall 
and  federal  building  and  a  large  library.  Commodious  and  well  appointed 
homes  crown  the  prominent  bluffs  overlooking  the  valley  and  the  landscap- 
ing is  effective  to  an  unusual  degree.  Camp  McClellan  addition  in  the  east 
end,  commanding  a  view  of  the  river  and  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  and  built  up 
with  residences  of  the  more  costly  class,  is  one  of  the  show  places  of  the 
community. 

Good  homes  are  the  rule,  and  the  tendency  constantly  is  toward  im- 
provement in  average  quality.  New  additions  are  being  laid  out  rapidly. 
There  is  unlimited  room  for  growth,  most  of  the  suburbs  being  on  rolling 
ground  and  well  supplied  with  paved  streets  and  trolley  lines.  The  1920 
census  showed  12,042  homes,  but  it  is  probable  that  13,000  would  be  nearer 
the  correct  number  for  1922.  In  that  year  360  new  residences  were  con- 
structed and  $3,249,000  was  expended  on  buildings.  It  is  estimated  that 
three-fourths  of  the  homes  in  the  city  are  owned  by  the  occupants.  That  is 
an  unusually  large  proportion,  and  speaks  well  for  the  thrift,  enterprise  and 
stability  of  the  people.  Residences  and  lawns,  as  a  rule,  are  well  kept, 
reflecting  the  prosperity  and  content  of  the  owners.  Rents  are  not  exorbitant. 
An  exceptionally  liberal  policy  is  pursued  in  the  financing  of  home  building 
enterprises. 

In  the  matter  of  schools  Davenport  is  second  to  none.  There  are  17 
grade  and  three  intermediate  schools  and  one  high  school  in  the  public 
system,  with  13  parochial  and  diocesan  schools  and  17  miscellaneous.  The 
high  school,  built  on  a  commanding  site  in  1907,  at  a  cost  of  $350,000,  is  one 
of  the  conspicuous   structures  of   the   city.     It  accommodates   1,600  pupils. 


292  R  ()   C  K       IS   L  A   \   D       A   R   S    I".   X  A   L 

Schools  maintained  by  religi»»us  denominations  include  St.  Ambrose  college 
for  boys  and  the  Academy  of  the  Immaculate  Concejition  for  girls,  both  con- 
ducted by  the  Rtmian  Catholic  church,  and  St.  Katharine's  school  for  girls, 
under  the  auspices  i»f  the  I*!piscopal  diocese  ""f  Iowa.  The  miscellaneous 
schools  include  the  Palmer  School  of  Chiropractic,  with  2.500  students,  draw  n 
from  all  states  in  the  union  and  from  many  foreign  countries. 

Public  school  attendance  for  the  1921-22  year  was  9.621.  School  ex- 
penditures the  same  year  were  $820,000.  \'alue  of  school  property  was 
S3.006.920  in  buildings  and  grounds,  and  $280,246  in  equipment.  The  school 
bonded  debt  was  $1,023,000. 

Public  school  pupils  are  given  every  advantage  to  promote  their  educa- 
tional advancement  and  physical  welfare.  There  is  special  instruction  in 
drawing,  music,  manual  training,  cooking,  sewing,  physical  culture  and 
nature  study.  School  physicians  and  nurses  are  employed.  Special  schools 
are  maintained  for  deaf  children  and  those  with  defects  of  speech.  A 
training  course  for  teachers  is  part  of  the  regular  high  school  course. 

The  Davenport  library  is  well  housed,  centrally  located  and  complete. 
At  the  close  of  1922  it  had  78.158  volumes  and  the  circulation  for  the  year  had 
been  456.564.     Eight  stations  in  various  parts  of  the  city  are  maintained. 

More  than  eighty  per  cent  of  the  people  of  Davenport  claim  church 
affiliation.  All  told  there  are  43  churches,  including  practically  all  denom- 
inations. There  are  two  cathedrals,  this  being  the  see  city  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  diocese  of  Davenport,  comprising  the  southern  half  of  Iowa,  and 
of  the  Episcopal  diocese  of  Iowa.  Auxiliary  religious  organizations  are  well 
supported.  The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  has  a  membership  of  1.300  and  the  Y.  W.  C.  A. 
of  1.200.  The  former  occupies  a  building  specially  erected  for  its  use.  and 
the  latter  has  extensive  rented  quarters. 

Few  cities  are  so  well  supplied  with  organizations,  business,  educational, 
welfare,  recreational  and  for  the  promotion  of  science  and  the  arts  as  is  Dav- 
enport. They  are  numbered  by  the  scores,  their  purposes  cover  almost  the 
whole  field  of  human  endeavor  and  nearly  every  resident  is  enrolled  in  one 
or  more  of  them.  Many  are  German  in  origin  and  character,  led  by  the 
Turners  and  their  various  branches.  The  spirit  of  mutual  helpfulness  which 
pervades  the  community  is  manifested  in  numerous  beneficiary  and  welfare 
societies,  some  with  but  a  few  members  and  some  with  many  hundreds. 
These  have  headquarters  in  all  parts  of  the  city  and  do  a  magnificent  work. 
People  of  means  and  benevolent  inclination  have  endowed  a  number  of 
these  with  jjraiseworthy  liberality,  enable  them  to  operate  on  a  broad  scale 
and  to  build,  equij)  and  plan  adequately  for  the  future. 

Leading  among  the  business  organizations  is  the  Davenport  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  occujjving  a  handsome  home  of  its  own  and  maintaining  traftic, 
credit,  manufacturing  and  retail  bureaus  in  charge  of  paid  secretaries.     The 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  293 

traffic  bureau  has  complete  tariiif  files  and  the  credit  bureau  keeps  up-to-date 
ratings  to  the  number  of  80,000.  The  Chamber  of  Commerce  is  headquarters 
for  the  live  men  of  the  community,  and  is  doing  eiTective  work  in  furthering 
the  city's  interests  and  exploiting  its  advantages.  Its  motto  always  has 
been  "Business  Before  Pleasure." 

Benevolent  work  is  participated  in  by  such  organizations  as  the  Ladies' 
Industrial  Relief  and  the  Davenport  Friendly  society,  having  buildings  of 
their  own  equipped  for  educational  and  recreational,  and,  in  the  case  of  the 
former,  for  charitable  work.  The  Visiting  Nurses'  association  keeps  six 
nurses  whose  services  are  free  to  those  unable  to  pay  for  them.  The  Lend-a- 
Hand  club  looks  after  the  Avelfare  of  working  girls  and  is  building  a 
$200,000  home  for  them,  a  complete  club,  with  all  customary  club  facilities,  a 
large  dining  room  and  quarters  for  80  lodgers. 

There  are  four  hospitals  with  a  combined  capacity  of  300  beds.  Elee- 
mosynary institutions  include  the  Clarissa  C.  Cook  Home  for  the  Friendless, 
a  refuge  for  women,  the  Fejervary  Home  for  Aged  Men,  and  St.  Vin- 
cent's Orphan's  home.  The  Iowa  Soldiers'  Orphans'  home,  maintained  by 
the  state,  and  capable  of  caring  for  500  inmates,  is  located  in  the  city.  Pine 
Knoll  sanatorium,  maintained  by  the  county  for  treatment  of  tuberculosis,  has 
a  capacity  of  50  patients. 

The  public  museum  of  the  Davenport  Academy  of  Sciences,  organized 
in  1867,  ranks  with  the  museums  of  cities  with  many  times  the  population 
of  the  Tri-Cities.  The  collections  fill  to  overflowing  two  large  connected 
buildings  owned  by  the  institution.  There  are  departments  of  natural  his- 
tory, commercial  geography,  local  history,  American  ethnology  and  arch- 
aeology (especially  Mississippi  Valley  mound-builders),  and  exhibits  from 
Egypt,  Greece,  Rome,  China,  Japan.  Peru,  Alaska  and  other  parts  of  the 
world.  The  museum  is  visited  by  15,000  people  in  a  year.  It  has  been  built 
up  by  the  generosity  of  many  citizens.  Its  endowment  is  assured  by  a 
trust  fund  and  it  is  planning  fcjr  a  new^  fireproof  museum  and  art  gallery 
building. 

The  C.  A.  Ficke  collection  of  paintings,  valued  at  half  a  million  dollars, 
recently  has  been  given  to  the  city,  and  public  spirited  citizens  have  under- 
taken to  provide  a  home  for  it.  Permanent  literary,  debating  and  study 
clubs  are  numerous  and  reach  a  great  many  people.  Women's  organizations 
number  more  than  a  score.  Many  of  them  are  educational  in  their  purpose, 
while  others  are  devoted  to  the  arts,  especially  to  music,  which  Davenporters 
liberally  patronize.  The  Tri-City  Symphony  orchestra,  taking  rank  with 
the  best  in  the  country,  and  the  Tri-City  Musical  Association,  which 
sponsors  entertainments  by  the  world's  leading  musical  celebrities,  are 
strongly  supported  in  Davenport  and  their  programs  there  are  given  in  the 
coliseum,  well  adapted  to  such  uses  and  having  a  seating  capacity  of  3,000. 


294  ROCK       IS   L  A   X   1)       A    R   S    F.   N   A   L 

Aniono;  the  fratcrnals.  the  Masons  hui*;'  have  held  a  leading:  plaee.  Their 
original  temple  having  been  outgrown,  the  Masonic  bodies  are  now  erecting 
one  of  the  most  jiretentious  structures  of  its  kind  in  the  country,  to  be  thrown 
open  during  1923.  The  Elks,  Turners.  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians.  Knights 
of  Columbus  and  Danish  Brotherhood  have  buildings  of  their  own,  while  the 
Eagles  are  building  and  the  Odd  Fellows  expect  to  do  so  soon.  Few 
fraternal  organizations  that  are  more  than  local  in  character  are  without 
branches  in  the  city.  There  are  half  a  hundred  labor  unions,  embracing  all 
crafts  and  most  of  them  affiliating  with  the  Davenport  Trades  and  Labor 
Assembly. 

In  the  planning  of  Davenport,  recreation  has  been  well  provided  for, 
and  there  are  numerous  organizations  to  promote  that  end.  Among  these 
may  be  mentioned  the  Outing  club,  with  house  and  grounds  only  a  few  blocks 
from  the  center  of  the  city,  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal  Golf  club,  more  than 
half  of  the  members  of  which  are  Davenporters,  certain  'branches  of  the 
Turners,  and  numerous  clubs  to  encourage  shooting,  bowling  and  other 
sports,  both  outdoor  and  indoor.  There  are  14  parks,  w^ell  distributed 
within  the  city  limits,  and  having  a  combined  area  of  379  acres.  Of  these 
Vander\'eer  park  is  noted  for  its  flowers,  while  in  Fejervary  park  is  a 
small  zoo.  Credit  island,  a  tract  of  nearly  four  hundred  acres,  is  owned  by 
the  city  and  is  equipped  with  golf  course,  bathing  beach,  baseball  grounds 
and  other  recreational  facilities.  It  is  open  to  the  public  free  of  charge,  and 
though  outside  the  municipal  limits,  is  easily  reached.  At  LeClaire  park, 
on  the  levee,  the  city,  in  1922,  constructed  a  well  appointed  natatorium  costing 
$100,000.  Attractive  and  well  improved  drives  leading  out  into  the  country 
in  all  directions  have  a  strong  appeal  to  motorists.  A  well-appointed 
tourists'  camp  is  provided  for  visiting  automobile  parties  in  summer  time. 

Efforts  to  beautify  the  city  have  been  highly  successful  in  Davenport, 
and  there  are  many  sightly  spots  within  and  near  its  borders.  There  are 
no  "Keep  off  the  grass"  signs  in  the  public  parks.  All  schools  have  play- 
grounds, well  equipped,  and  there  are  three  public  playgrounds  with  wad- 
ing pools.  The  Davenport  Boat  Club  has  a  harbor  and  club  house  and  has 
sponsored  a  number  of  regattas,  attracting  power  boat  enthusiasts  from  all 
over  the  middle  west. 

Indoc)r  recreation  is  supplied  by  four  theatres  and  15  motion  picture 
houses,  among  which  the  new  Capitol  theatre  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
fmest  in  the  country. 

Davenport's  fire  protection  ranks  with  the  best.  Fire  insurance  is 
written  on  a  Class  Two  basis,  a  rating  accorded  few  other  cities.  Large 
pumping  capacity  of  the  water  company,  over-size  mains  in  the  fire  limits, 
enforcement  of  a  satisfactory  building  code,  and  effectiveness  of  fire  fight- 
ing forces  and  equipment  are  factors  considered  in  establishing  the  low 
rate.    There  are  seven  fire  stations,  with  67  men.    Equipment  is  all  motorized 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  295 

and  includes  two  large  pumps.  There  are  LI 50  fire  hydrants  in  the  city. 
Help  from  Rock  Island  and  Moline  is  always  available  on  short  notice. 
Average  fire  losses  for  the  past  10  years  have  been  $176,727. 

There  are  two  police  stations,  with  a  force  of  62  men.  Law  enforce- 
ment is  efl:'ective.  The  number  of  arrests  for  the  last  10  years  has  averaged 
2,398  and  the  average  annual  collection  of  fines  has  been  $8,378.  Unusual 
attention  is  given  to  directing  of  traffic  in  business  streets.  A  federal  law 
enforcement  organization  is  maintained  in  the  city,  including  a  United  States 
commissioner,  deputy  United  States  marshal  and  prohibition  agent.  There 
is  an  adequate  local  health  and  inspection  service. 

The  federal  government  maintains  a  weather  station  in  Davenport  fully 
equipped  and  manned  by  a  meteorologist  and  two  assistants.  Weather  data 
from  all  over  the  country  and  river  stage  bulletins  from  points  on  the  Miss- 
issippi from  Dubuque  down  to  Muscatine  are  collected  daily.  Reports  are 
sent  out  over  the  Tri-City  district  and  are  broadcasted  by  radio,  making 
them  available  for  many  miles.  Records  kept  since  1871  show  an  average 
rainfall  of  32.27  inches,  average  winter  temperature  of  24.3  degrees,  spring 
temperature  of  49.1,  summer  temperature  of  73.1  and  autumn  temperature  of 
52.4.  The  average  growing  season  has  been  174  days.  There  have  been  no 
crop  failures  in  the  vicinity  in  50  years. 

Davenporters  take  great  pride  in  their  city.  They  are  ever  alert  to  add 
to  its  advantages  and  always  have  a  warm  welcome  for  visitors.  Many  con- 
ventions are  entertained.  There  are  half  a  dozen  hotels  of  high  rating  and 
a  score  of  others  in  which  visitors  may  find  comfortable  quarters  and  at 
moderate  cost.  One  of  the  city's  leading  attractions  is  the  Mississippi  Valley 
Fair  and  Exposition.  This  was  opened  in  1920,  and  took  high  rank  from  the 
start.  The  grounds,  just  outside  the  city  limits,  comprise  90  acres  and  repre- 
sent an  investment  of  $550,000.  There  is  a  modern  half-mile  track,  grandstand 
of  unique  design,  built  to  afford  occupants  a  view  of  aerial  spectacles,  as 
well  as  those  occurring  on  the  ground,  and  with  large  seating  capacity,  to- 
gether with  all  other  necessary  buildings  of  a  class  usually  found  only  at 
state  fair  grounds.  The  annual  fair,  open  for  a  week  in  1922,  drew  a  paid 
attendance  of  80,899. 

The  Scott  County  Farm  Bureau,  formed  in  1912.  with  headquarters  in 
Davenport,  is  one  of  the  three  oldest  in  the  state.  It  has  1.200  members,  a 
paid  secretary,  or  advisor,  and  is  one  of  the  most  active  and  progressive  in 
the  country.  Agricultural  interests  of  the  county  have  experienced  much 
benefit  from  its  work,  which  is  covering  an  ever  widening  field. 

Davenport  has  Battery  B  of  the  state  militia,  with  a  total  membership 
of  80,  and  an  artillery  armory  of  large  size  and  modern  design,  which  is 
battery  headquarters  of  the  Iowa  National  Guard. 

One  of  the  best  boat  harbors  on  the  Mississippi  is  located  at  the  west  end 
of  Davenport,  in  the  slack  water  formed  by  building  a  dam,  also  used  as  a 


296  ROCK       ISLAND       A   R   S   R   N  A  L 

driveway  frtun  tlie  niaiiilaiul  to  the  head  t»f  Credit  ishind.     Many  craft  winter 
here  and  some  boat  building  and  repairinj^  is  done. 

Already  well  supplied  with  land  and  water  transp<jrtati()n  facilities, 
Davenport  expects  also  to  figure  prominently  in  the  development  of  airroutes. 
It  now  has  a  commercial  flying  organization  and  an  aviation  field  where 
aviators  are  trained  and  airships  are  built.  The  city  is  on  the  main  New 
York-San  Francisco)  route  of  the  United  States  airways  systems  as  mapped 
out  by  the  a\iation  branch  of  the  army,  and  expects  also  ultimately  to  be  made 
a  junction  point  between  the  east  and  west  line  and  the  main  one  crossing" 
the  country  n<Trth  and  south  and  connecting  New  Orleans,  Memphis,  and  St. 
Louis  with  Minneapolis  and  St.  Paul  and  points  in  Canada. 

HISTORICAL 

The  first  house  built  by  white  men  on  the  site  of  the  city  of  Davenport 
was  a  rude  cabin  put  up  in  1833  by  Antoine  LeClaire  and  a  party  of  French- 
men. LeClaire.  who  figured  prominently  in  the  pioneer  life  of  the  com- 
munity and  was  a  leading  resident  of  the  city  for  many  years,  was  half 
Indian  and  had  an  Indian  wife.  His  cabin  was  placed  in  the  midst  of  the 
Fox  Indian  village,  which  the  white  men  had  named  Morgan.  The  Indians 
left  in  1834  to  take  up  their  abode  on  the  Cedar  river.  The  townsite  was 
laid  out  in  1835-36.  and  named  in  honor  of  Col.  Ceorge  Daveni)ort,  an 
Indian  trader  and  first  settler  on  the  island,  near  I'^^rt  Armstrong. 

It  is  probable  that  the  first  white  man  to  see  the  site  of  Davenport  was 
Radisson,  a  Frenchman  who  explored  this  part  of  the  country  in  company 
with  a  band  of  Indians  about  1660.  'J'here  is  authentic  rec(jrd  of  the  coming 
in  1673  of  Marquette  and  Joliet,  who  met  a  tribe  of  Illini  Indians  there. 
White  men  came  to  the  locality  to  stay  when  Fort  Armstrong  was  built  in 
1815.  The  year  previous  an  American  exi)cdition  headed  by  Lieut.  Zachary 
Taylor,  afterward  president  of  the  United  States,  had  been  defeated  by 
Indians  and  British  in  what  has  since  been  known  as  the  battle  of  Credit 
Island,  fought  mostly  within  the  present  city  limits. 

LeClaire  came  in  1818,  as  interpreter  for  the  commandant  at  the  fort. 
He  acted  in  that  capacity  when  the  treaty  following  the  Black  tiawk  war 
was  negotiated  in  1832  at  a  point  now  within  the  city.  In  this  treaty  the 
Indians  ceded  the  land  to  the  government,  but  reserved  a  cpiarter  section 
for  the  wife  of  LeClaire.  On  this  land  the  first  house  was  built.  Two  men 
claimed  the  original  townsite.  LeClaire  bought  tiut  both  for  $150  and  joined 
with  half  a  dcjzen  others  in  i)latting  the  ground.  I^'ifty  or  sixty  lots  were 
sold  at  auction,  mostly  to  St.  Louis  speculatt)rs,  and  the  men  at  the  head  of 
the  enterprise  divided  the  rest  among  themselves.  The  town  was  incor- 
porated late  in  1838,  and  the  first  election  was  held  April  1.  1839.  A  new- 
charter  was  voted  by  the  legislature  in  1843  and  a  third  one  in  1851.  which, 
amended  fr<jm  time  to  time,  is  still  in  force. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  297 

What  is  now  Iowa  was  once  a  part  of  the  territory  of  Wisconsin. 
Iowa  territory  was  laid  out  in  1838.  A  county  government  was  set  up  the 
same  year  and  Rockingham  was  the  first  county  seat.  County  commissioners 
did  not  meet  in  Davenport  till  1840. 

Davenport  remained  a  very  ordinary  frontier  settlement,  though 
enjoying  the  advantages  of  a  large  river  traffic,  till  the  coming  of  the  railroad. 
The  Chicago  &  Rock  Island  was  completed  to  the  latter  city  in  1854.  Several 
years  earlier  Davenporters  had  become  actively  interested  in  promoting  a 
trans-continental  line,  and  in  1852  the  Mississippi  &  Missouri  Railroad 
company  was  organized  to  build  across  the  state  of  Iowa  and  join  the  two 
streams,  with  Davenport  as  the  eastern  terminus.  Ground  was  broken  in  1853 
and  some  road  had  been  built  before  the  iron  horse  was  brought  across  the 
river  to  help  with  the  undertaking. 

The  first  locomotive  to  cross  the  river  was  ferried  over  on  a  flatboat 
July  19,  1855,  and  was  christened  the  Antoine  LeClaire.  It  pulled  the  first 
train  out  of  Davenport  Aug.  22  of/  that  year.  During  the  winter  following 
another  locomotive  and  seven  freight  cars  were  hauled  across  the  river  on 
the  ice.  The  first  locomotive  crossed  the  bridge  April  21,  1856.  Not  till 
a  dozen  years  later  was  the  road,  now  part  of  the  C.  R.  I.  &  P.  system,  com- 
pleted to  Council  Bluffs. 

Davenport  grew  rapidly  as  a  result  of  its  advantages  of  location  and  its 
superior  transportation  facilities.  It  became  an  important  distribution  center 
for  eastern  Iowa,  handling  a  good  share  of  the  building  materials  and  other 
goods  consumed  in  the  developing  of  the  territory,  and  of  the  farm  products 
given  in  exchange. 

Manufacturing  began  with  lumber  and  flour,  two  basic  necessities  most 
in  demand  in  the  locality.  For  many  years  a  large  business  was  done, 
especially  in  lumber.  When  the  lumberman  and  the  miller  passed  on  north 
and  west  to  be  nearer  their  supplies  of  raw  material  their  places  were  taken 
by  other  manufacturers  making  such  things  as  wagons,  implements,  clothing 
and  food  products,  and  laying  the  foundation  for  the  later  industrial  growth 
of  the  community. 

When  it  began  to  assume  importance  as  a  city  Davenport's  banking 
resources  grew  rapidly.  It  always  has  been  noted  for  the  number  and 
strength  of  its  financial  institutions.  Confidence  in  them  for  years  has 
brought  depositors  from  other  localities  and  has  helped  to  make  the  city 
a  center  for  the  buying  and  selling  of  securities  and  for  the  financing  of  all 
sorts  of  enterprises.  An  important  step  for  the  advancement  of  community 
interests  took  place  in  1895,  when  the  Davenport  Clearing  House  Association 
was  formed. 

In  the  early  days,  as  now,  the  city  excelled  as  a  trading  center.  The 
opportunities  presented  attracted  men  with  business  ability  and  means   to 


298  R  (J   C   K       IS   L  A   X   D       A   R  S    !•:   X  A  L 

operate  on  a  large  scale.  Low  freight  rates  by  water  prevailing  in  the  days 
of  the  steamboat  were  met  by  the  railroads,  with  which  the  city  was  well 
supplied,  and  the  resulting  advantages  made  it  easy  to  compete  with  other 
centers,  especially  those  not  on  navigable  streams.  While  the  river  does 
not  now  figure  prominently  as  an  artery  of  commerce,  Davenporters  are 
confident  that  its  prestige  will  be  at  least  partly  restored,  and  at  no  distant 
date.  When  this  is  done  and  the  proposed  water  way  link  to  the  Great  Lakes 
in  Illinois  is  completed  substantial  benefits  await  the  river  towns,  and  Daven- 
port will  be  in  position  to  share  in  them. 

In  the  four  score  years  of  its  career  Davenport  has  traveled  far.  and  not 
in  vain.  It  has  done  big  things,  and  by  doing  them  has  found  the  wisdom 
and  the  strength  to  grapple  with  even  larger  ones.  It  breathes  the  atmosphere 
of  success.  It  has  won  the  fight  that  faces  every  city  which  would  be 
truly  great. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 


299 


Moline,  East  Moline,  and  Silvis 


Moline    population     (1920    census) — 30,745. 
Average    population    gain    by    decades    since 

1860 — 58    per    cent. 
Number  of  industries — 55. 
Capital  invested  in  industries — $108,000,000. 
Total    banking-    resources     (Dec.     29,     1922)  — 

$18,7n,497. 
Postal   receipts    (1922) — $272,546. 
Area  of  city — 6.5   square   miles. 
Miles  of  paved   streets — 58. 
Miles  of  sewers — 68. 
Acreage  of   parks — 170. 


Capacity    of    city    pumping    plant — 17,000,000 

gallons. 
Annual    expenditure    for    public    education — 

$450,000. 
Number  of  liomes    (1920  census) — 6,535. 
Number   of   owned   liomes — 5,000. 
Has  water  power  and  good  steamboat  liarbor. 
Combined  population  of  Moline,  Kast  Moline 

and    ^iilvis — 11,950. 

Greatest     implement    making    center    in    the 

world. 
Number   of    workers   employed    in    industries 

of    the    three    cities — 10,000. 
Annual  carload  shipments  in  and  out — 10,000. 


OLINE,  East  Moline  and  Silvis  together  comprise  the  industrial 
unit  of  the  Tri-City  group.  Jointly  they  cover  an  area  of  more  than 
ten  square  miles  and  have  a  population  of  41,393  souls.  Moline  and 
East  Moline  form  the  largest  agricultural  implement  manufacturing 
center  in  the  world.     Silvis  is  the  home  of  the  repair  shops  of  the 

Rock  Island  Lines,  one  of  the  most  complete  establishments  of  the  kind  in 

the  country. 

Moline,  known  wherever  man  cultivates  the  land  with  modern  tools  as 
the  Plow  City,  has  a  population  of  30,734,  according  to  the  1920  census. 
East  Moline,  laid  out  a  score  of  years  ago  to  accommodate  Moline's  indus- 
trial overflow,  had  a  population  of  8,675  when  the  last  federal  count  was 
made,  and  Silvis  was  credited  with  2,541  people.  The  combined  population 
of  the  three  cities  named  increased  13,336,  or  47.7  per  cent  in  the  ten-year 
period  from  1910  to  1920.  Moline's  gain  has  averaged  58  per  cent  by  decades 
since  1860.  East  Moline's  increase  was  214.2  per  cent  from  1910  to  1920, 
while  that  of  Silvis  was  118.4. 

Moline,  besides  offering  many  advantages  by  reason  of  its  exceptional 
location  with  reference  to  assembling  of  materials  and  distribution,  its  fine 
transportation  facilities  and  the  high  class  of  its  labor,  is  an  ideal  home  city. 
So,  also,  are  East  Moline  and  Silvis.  This  is  primarily  because  of  the 
character  of  the  people,  the  great  bulk  of  its  bread-winners  being  skilled 
workmen  who,  favored  by  steady  employment  at  good  wages  and  being  as  a 
rule  by  nature  thrifty,  have  established  homes  of  their  own.  Sober  and  in- 
dustrious, fairly  rewarded  for  their  labor,  they  are  contented  and  stand  for 
the  things  that  make  a  city  attractive. 

Manufacturing  plants  in  Moline  and  East  Moline  are  segregated  along 
the  river,  giving  the  advantage  of  level  sites  and  accessibility  to  rail  and 
water  transportation.  Roth  cities  have  room  on  the  flat  at  the  foot  of  the 
bluff's  for  flourishing  business  districts,  \Vhile  the  hills  and  level  upland 
farther  south  are  ideal  for  residence  purposes.  Moline  has  spread  across 
the  latter,  nearly  two  miles  in  width,  and  is  about  to  invade  the  valley  of 


300  ROCK       IS   1.  A   N   1)       A   R  S   IC   N  A  L 

Rock  river,  tlie  blutifs  of  whicli  already  are  nccupied  by  residences.  Silvis 
is  not  on  the  river,  but  its  manufacturing  district  is  conhned  to  the  bottom 
of  the  valley,  in  conformity  with  the  zoning  of  its  neighboring  cities. 

The  progressive  spirit  of  her  citizens  has  made  Midine's  development 
safe  and  sure.  J^stablished  originally  as  a  mill  town,  it  always  has  aimed 
chietiy  at  industrial  expansion.  ])ut  its  enterprise  alst)  has  sought  and  found 
other  outlets.  Many  big  civic  undertakings  have  been  successfully  handled 
and  it  has  weathered  periods  of  depression  with  never  a  step  backward.  Its 
people  have  shown  their  faith  by  their  works,  and  their  works  have  created 
a  city  that  is  fair  to  look  ujxm.  and  as  good  as  it  is  fair. 

A  typical  achievement  i»f  Moline  was  the  removal  of  its  business  district 
from  the  north  side  to  the  south  side  of  the  railroad  tracks  which  bisect  the 
down-town  section.  The  advantage  of  having  the  main  retail  area  on  one 
side  or  the  other  was  obvious.  Crossings  were  dangerous  and  often  were 
blocked  by  trains.  Overhead  tracks  were  out  of  the  question.  There  was 
urgent  need  that  something  be  done,  and  something  w-as  done  in  a  surpris- 
ingly short  time  and  with  most  gratifying  results. 

In  the  early  days  the  city's  retail  business  was  done  mostly  in  two  blocks 
on  Second  avenue.  I^xpansion  brought  Third  avenue  to  the  front,  three  or 
four  blocks  there  becoming  the  center  of  activities,  with  a  gradual  encroach- 
ment upt»n  P^ifteenth  street  on  the  other  side  of  the  tracks.  And  then  the  time 
came,  early  in  the  i)resent  century,  when  still  more  room  was  needed.  Third 
avenue  was  inadequate,  and  anyway  the  big  implement  makers  had  iinaded  it 
with  their  warehouses  and  were  in  need  of  still  more  space  there. 

The  removal  across  the  tracks  did  not  just  hai)pen.  It  was  planned 
deliberately  and  systematically.  It  began  in  1903.  New  business  blocks 
began  to  rise  on  Fifteenth  street,  on  Fifth  and  even  on  Sixth  avenues.  Now. 
after  twenty  years,  there  are  probably  only  two  or  three  merchants  still  on 
Third  avenue  who  were  there  when  the  movement  l)egan.  The  jiresent 
business  district  is  almost  entirely  new.  which  gives  it  an  air  of  modernity 
not  often  found  in  a  city  that  has  been  established  for  more  than  half  a 
century. 

The  first  lot  purchased  for  business  purjjoses  south  of  the  tracks  in  the 
transaction  which  started  the  exodus  from  Third  avenue  cost  $112  per  front 
foot.  Three  years  later  an  adjacent  lot  sold  for  $300  per  foot.  Now  it  has  a 
value  of  $1,000  ])er  foot.  The  residence  district  has  been  i)ushed  farther 
and  farther  south  as  the  business  district  grows.  There  are  also  several 
groups  of  retail  establishments  on  the  bluff. 

The  move  across  the  railroad  tracks  was  the  beginning  of  a  new  era 
in  Moline.     In  fact,  it  may  be  considered  the  city's  conuiiercial  re-birth. 

Joel  Wells  was  the  first  white  settler  in  the  territory  that  afterward  be- 
came Moline.     lie  and  his  two  sons  are  said  to  have  come  to  this  vicinity 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  301 

some  time  between  1829  and  1832.  They  at  one  time  had  possession  of  most 
of  the  land  now  forming  the  heart  of  the  city.  Other  settlers  arrived  and 
the  tract  was  devoted  to  agricultural  purposes  until  after  1841. 

In  1841  D.  B.  Sears  and  Spencer  H.  White  constructed  a  dam  from  the 
Illinois  shore  to  the  island  now^  occupied  l)y  the  Arsenal,  to  harness  the 
Mississippi  rapids  for  the  operation  of  a  flour  mill.  Organizers  of  the  mill 
company  were  Messrs.  Sears  and  White  and  John  W.  Spencer.  The  plant 
was  erected  at  the  southern  end  of  the  dam  and  Thomas  G.  Patterson  was 
the  first  millwright  employed. 

In  1842  the  first  industrial  enterprise  of  the  present  Plow  City  was 
launched.  Later  Mr.  Sears  obtained  control  by  purchasing  the  interests  of 
his  partners.  He  built  another  dam  from  Rock  Island  to  Benham's  island 
and  placed  a  new  mill  there.  Other  small  factories,  attracted  by  the  power, 
soon  were  located  on  the  mainland  and  on  the  island,  and  so  grew  a  nucleus 
for  the  later  development  of  the  community. 

Meanwhile  the  spiritual  and  intellectual  welfare  of  the  settlers  were  not 
being  neglected.  In  1834  the  first  religious  organization  was  formed  by  the 
Methodists.  There  were  few  members.  Rev.  Thomas  McMurty,  the  pastor, 
opened  the  first  school  in  1835,  and  served  as  teacher. 

Workmen  employed  at  the  first  mill  were  without  permanent  shelter, 
and  in  1842  Spencer  White  built  the  first  frame  house  to  serve  as  a  home 
for  the  men.  The  following  year  the  mill  company  laid  out  a  town  and 
divided  it  into  lots,  some  of  which  were  qttickly  sold.  In  1843,  also,  the  town 
was  named.  Selection  of  the  name  devolved  upon  a  small  group  of  pioneers 
who  were  interested  in  the  enterprise.  They  did  not  agree,  and  so  on  the 
plat  of  the  town  were  written  two  titles,  Hesperia  and  Moulin.  Hesperia 
means  the  star  of  the  west.  Moulin,  from  the  French,  means  a  mill.  Charles 
Atkinson,  who  had  the  distinction  of  building  the  first  brick  house,  held  out 
for  Moulin,  and  that  name  prevailed.  The  spelling  of  the  name  in  some  way 
was  changed  to  conform  with  the  pronunciation. 

Moline  was  incorporated  in  1848.  Daniel  ( )]:)ermyre  was  the  first  village 
president,  Daniel  Cordon  clerk.  Cyrus  Kinsey  treasurer,  Charles  Atkinson 
assessor,  A.  M.  Hul)])ar(l  constable  and  collector,  and  John  Patterson  super- 
visor of  the  roads.  A  special  act  of  the  legislature  permitted  re-incorpora- 
tion in  1855.  City  organization  came  in  1872.  July  1  of  that  year  the  law- 
providing  for  the  incor])oration  of  cities  became  efl:'ective.  Two  days  later 
the  village  trustees  were  asked  to  have  the  question  of  a  change  submitted  to 
the  people.  This  was  done  and  the  proposition  carried  261  to  22.  Daniel  L. 
Wheelock  was  the  first  mayor.  Orrin  Ferguson  clerk.  Charles  F.  Hemenway 
treasurer  and  Jolni  T.  Browning  attorney,  jolm  Deere  was  the  second 
mayor. 

It  is  to  John  Deere,  more  than  to  any  other  man,  that  Moline  owes  its 
prestige  as  an  implement-making  center.     Deere  began  making  plows  in  the 


:>02  ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL 

forties,  and  the  excellence  of  his  product,  the  quantity  of  his  output  and  the 
vigor  with  which  he  sought  new  fields  to  market  it  soon  spread  the  fame  of 
the  town.  Gradually  the  Deere  shops  grew  and  their  growth  attracted  other 
manufacturers,  who  set  up  plants  to  make  plows  and  other  implements,  farm 
wagons,  light  vehicles,  machinery,  etc.  Moline  also  once  had  its  lumber 
mills,  but  their  departure  a  score  of  years  ago  was  scarcely  noticed  in  the 
general  industrial  growth. 

In  time  absorption  of  the  individual  enterprises  by  the  Deere  interests 
began.  The  Moline  Plow  Company  also  entered  the  field  as  competitor. 
Both  major  concerns  acquired  complete  lines  of  plows,  cultivating  and 
harvesting  machinery,  tractors  and  motor  and  other  vehicles.  For  the  most 
part  these  were  secured  by  purchase  of  home  or  outside  individual  manufac- 
turing enterprises  which  were  taken  over  and  operated  as  a  unit.  To  a  large 
extent  the  industry  has  been  consolidated  in  Moline  and  East  Moline.  with 
many  millions  invested,  an  immense  output  and  with  distribution  facilities 
in  practically  all  parts  of  the  civilized  world. 

\\'hile  the  early  growth  of  Moline  and  the  later  development  of  East 
Moline  was  given  the  greatest  impetus  by  the  implement-making  business, 
neither  place  can  be  called  a  one-line  manufacturing  city.  Muline  has  approx- 
imately 55  industries,  including,  besides  the  farm  implement  plants,  one  of  the 
leading  automobile  factories  in  the  country.  Heavy  machinery,  furniture, 
steel  products,  automobile  bodies,  tools,  wood  products  and  licorice  are  a  few 
of  the  other  products  that  are  turned  out  in  large  quantities.  East  Moline  also 
has  a  big  automobile  factory,  in  addition  to  concerns  making  gasoline  motors, 
laundry  machinery,  scales,  storage  batteries  and  metal  and  wooden  novelties. 

\'alue  of  the  output  of  Moline  factories  for  1919,  shown  in  the  1920  fed- 
eral census,  the  latest  official  figures  available,  was  $-14,811,021.  Capital 
invested  was  listed  as  $108,000,000.  The  number  of  workers  employed  was 
5444  and  the  annual  wages  $9,470,632.  In  that  year  East  Moline  factories 
employed  about  2.600.  the  annual  wages  amounted  to  a  little  less  than  half 
of  the  Moline  total,  and  the  output  and  capital  invested  were  in  proportion. 
The  number  of  men  etnployed  in  the  SiKis  railroad  shops  and  yards  was 
nearly  2.000. 

Moline's  acreage  is  4.183.  X'irtually  all  of  this  is  platted.  It  has  97 
miles  of  streets,  58  miles  of  pavement,  94  miles  of  sidewalks  and  68  miles 
of  sewer  mains. 

The  assessed  valuation  of  ])roj)erty  in  the  city  in  1922  was  $11,980,000. 
Current  appropriations  were  $528,999.  The  1922  tax  rate  was  $7.71  on  the 
hundred  dollars  valuation.  The  city's  bonded  indebtedness  in  1922  was 
S171.500. 

There  are  170  acres  of  parks  and  recreational  centers  in  Moline.  Two 
of  the  parks  have  lakes  where  wading  and  bathing  are  enjoyed  in  the  summer 
and  skating  in  the  winter.     Browning  field  is  a  completely  equipped  athletic 


ROCK       I  S  L.  A  N  D       ARSENAL  303 

field,  with  a  steel  constructed  grandstand  haxing-  a  seating  capacity  of  5,000. 
Professional  baseball  and  amateur  games  are  played  there.  It  is  easily 
reached  from  the  business  district.  The  six  parks  are  conveniently  located 
to  serve  the  entire  city.  Public  playgrounds  are  conducted  in  each  of  the 
parks  by  the  Community  Service  League. 

Recreational  facilities  include  many  attractive  drives  in  and  near  the 
city.  There  is  a  vehicle  bridge  connecting  with  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  the 
golf  course  of  which  is  reached  more  directly  from  the  business  district  of 
Moline  than  from  that  of  either  of  its  neighboring  cities.  Many  business 
and  professional  men  and  manufacturers  avail  themselves  of  the  advantages 
offered.  Campbell's  island,  named  after  the  commander  of  a  river  expedi- 
tion which  was  attacked  and  defeated  by  the  Indians  during  the  second  war 
with  England,  is  maintained  as  a  watering  place,  with  bathing  beach  and 
summer  camps  patronized  by  thousands  each  season.  There  are  many  camps, 
also,  on  Rock  river.  Aquatic  sports  are  popular.  Pigeon  clubs  are  numerous 
and  flying  contests  are  held  in  season.  East  Moline  St.  Elroy  Driving  club 
has  a  half-mile  track  on  the  outskirts  of  that  city  and  holds  regular  meets  in 
summer  and  autumn. 

Moline  has  pure  filtered  water,  the  raw  supply  being  taken  from  the 
channel  of  the  Mississippi.  The  pumping  capacity  of  the  plant,  which  is 
owned  by  the  city  and  valued  at  $1,198,914,  is  17.000,000  gallons  daily.  The 
filter  capacity  is  5,000,000  gallons,  or  more  than  twice  the  average  daily 
consumption.  A  filtered  reserve  of  several  million  gallons  is  maintained. 
Water  service  is  meterized  throughout  the  city.  The  minimum  quarterly 
charge  for  a  five-eighths-inch  meter,  the  size  used  by  the  average  family,  is 
S2.25 ;  for  a  three-ciuarter-inch  $3,  and  the  rate  graduates  up  to  $30  for  a 
6-inch  meter.  There  are  78  miles  of  water  mains  and  749  fire  hydrants.  The 
factory  district  is  supplied  through  separate  raw  water  mains  with  private 
pumping  plant. 

The  fire  department  is  modern  and  completely  motorized.  Four  stations, 
centrally  located,  are  manned  by  a  crew  of  28.  The  average  annual  fire  loss 
for  the  ten-year  period  ending  with  the  close  of  1922  was  $85,000.  Because 
of  its  well  organized  department,  complete  fire-fighting  apparatus,  adequate 
water  supply  and  strict  attention  to  lessening  of  fire  hazards,  the  city  has  an 
unusually  low  fire  insurance  rate,  being  based  on  a  classification  of  two  and 
one-half. 

Moline  has  an  efficient  police  department  of  28  men.  Law  enforcement 
is  uniformly  efifective,  the  city  being  kept  unusually  free  from  vice.  Good 
order  is  maintained  in  public  places  and  traffic  regulations  are  not  allowed  to 
become  a  dead  letter.    There  is  a  city  court  with  resident  judge. 

Great  pride  is  manifested  in  the  schools  of  the  city.  There  are  16 
buildings,  including  a  central  high  school  costing  $250,000.  Total  enrollment 
of  pupils  is  4,900.    Annual  expenditures  for  school  purposes  is  $450,000.    The 


304  R  O   C  K       I   S   L  A   X   D       A   R  S    i:   N  A  L 

value  of  school  property  is  $1,600,000  and  llic  school  debt  $321,000.     There 
are  two  Roman  Catholic  parochial  schools  with  a  combined  attendance  of  800. 

Religious  organizations  arc  well  sujjpttrted.  There  are  27  churches,  25 
Protestant  and  two  Roman  Catholic.  Combined  altiliations  of  the  former 
are  8,000  persons  and  of  the  latter  4.500.  Four  new  church  buildings  were 
started  in  1922.  Another,  begun  in  1919.  was  approaching  completion. 
Church  property  has  a  total   valuation  of  one  and  one-quarter  millions. 

There  is  a  commodious  Carnegie  library,  located  in  the  business  district 
and  stocked  with  32.000  volumes. 

Moline  has  three  hospitals  with  a  combined  capacity  of  more  than  200 
beds.  One  of  these  is  city  owned  and  supported  by  a  3-mill  tax.  There  are 
a  nurses'  home,  maternity  home  and  detention  hospital  in  connection  and  a 
training  school  for  nurses  is  conducted.  One  of  the  other  hospitals  is  main- 
tained by  the  Rock  Island  district  Lutheran  churches,  and  its  equipment 
includes  a  modern  X-ray  laboratory.  It  also  has  a  nurses'  training  school. 
The  third  hospital,  a  private  one,  specializes  in  health  baths. 

Moline's  status  as  a  hotel  city  was  materially  advanced  by  the  construc- 
tion of  the  million-dollar  LeClaire  hotel,  nearing  completion  at  the  close  of 
1922.  This  15-story  structure  has  202  guest  rooms  and  70  family  apartments 
and  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  costly  to  be  found  in  any  city  of  Moline's 
population.  Other  local  hotels  together  have  regular  facilities  for  the 
accommodation  of  200  guests. 

The  city  is  well  cared  for  in  the  matter  of  public  utilities.  Its  power 
and  gas  supply  and  street  railway  and  telephone  service  are  not  excelled 
anywhere.  The  power  plants  generating  electricity  both  by  steam  and 
water  for  the  entire  tri-city  district  are  located  within  its  boundaries,  as 
is  the  gas  plant  supplying  the  cities  on  the  Illinois  side  of  the  river.  The 
capacity  of  these  is  far  beyond  the  normal  needs  of  the  community.  At  the 
close  of  1922  there  were  in  the  city  182.6  miles  of  gas  main,  reduced  to 
3-inch  equivalent,  and  423.13  miles  of  single  wire  power  distribution  lines. 
The  number  of  electric  customers  was  7.238  and  of  gas  customers  6.940.  The 
Tri-City  Railway  Company  has  two  lines  operating  the  full  length  of  the 
city  east  and  west  and  two  north  and  south.  There  are  three  lines  connecting 
with  Rock  Island,  one  with  East  Moline  and  one  with  Silvis.  The  combined 
mileage  of  tracks  is  20.63. 

In  East  Moline  and  Silvis  there  are  63.7  miles  of  gas  mains  and  280.41 
miles  of  power  distribution  lines,  with  2.671  electric  customers  and  1.593 
gas  customers.     Total  mileage  of  street  railway  tracks  is  8.6. 

There  is  but  one  telephone  system,  that  of  the  Illinois  Bell  Company, 
with  5,700  stations  in  Moline  and  1,100  in  East  Moline  and  Silvis. 

The  power,  light,  gas  and  telephone  rates  are  the  same  as  in  Rock  Island, 
being  exceptionally  low,  and  the  street  railway  fare,  also,  is  10  cents,  with  the 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  305 

privilege  of  riding  for  a  nickel  extended  to  those  who  purchase  monthly 
identification  cards,  for  which  50  cents  is  charged.  The  average  fare  col- 
lected under  this  plan  is  a  little  more  than  six  cents. 

Moline  is  served  by  the  trunk  line  of  the  C.  R,  L  &  P.,  the  main  north 
and  south  line  and  the  Sterling  Ijranch  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  and  the  Chicago- 
Kansas  City  line  of  the  C.  M.  &  St.  P.  It  also  has  a  belt  line,  the  D.  R.  I.  & 
N.  W.,  connecting  with  Davenport,  Rock  Island,  East  Moline,  Silvis  and 
Carbon  Cliff,  and  having  a  system  of  terminals  and  service  tracks  in  the 
industrial  district.  The  Milwaukee  road  uses  its  main  line  and  the  terminals. 
There  are  50  trains  in  and  out  daily.  In  Moline  and  the  two  cities  adjoining 
on  the  east  there  are  29  miles  of  main  track  and  111  miles  of  service  and  other 
tracks,  the  switch  yards  including  the  iMg  division  terminal  of  the  C.  R.  I.  & 
P.  at  Silvis. 

Freight  shipments  in  and  out  of  Moline  and  East  Moline  run  about  40,000 
cars  annually.  In  1922,  which  was  below  normal,  there  were  15,032  carload 
lots  received  and  11,083  forwarded. 

In  the  days  when  water  transportation  flourished  Moline,  by  reason  of 
the  rapids  and  the  water  power  development  of  its  river  front,  was  practically 
cut  off  from  steamboat  connections.  In  1907,  however,  the  government  built 
a  lock,  and  subsecpient  improvement  of  the  rapids  has  given  the  city  an  ex- 
ceptionally good  slack  water  harbor  through  wdiich  all  craft  navigating  the 
Mississippi  at  this  point  must  pass.  With  railroads  on  the  river  bank  and  most 
of  its  big  industrial  plants  within  convenient  reach,  the  city  is  bound  to  be  a 
source  of  much  business  for  river  craft  in  the  event  of  their  revival.  At 
this  time  the  river  is  valuable  mainly  for  the  power  it  furnishes  and  for  the 
possibilities  of  further  development  in  this  direction  that  it  affords. 

Supplementing  its  railroad  and  water  shij)ping  facilities  is  a  system  of 
improved  highways  wdiich  promises  to  play  an  equally  prominent  part  in 
keeping  Moline  on  the  map.  With  one  hard  road  to  the  east  connecting  with 
city  pavement  at  Silvis  completed  at  the  close  of  1922,  state  and  county 
building  programs  already  financed  promised  two  more  concrete  highways 
in  1923.  One  of  these  was  to  be  extended  south,  via  Coal  Valley,  and  the 
other  northeast  through  the  upper  end  of  the  county,  paralleling  Rock  river. 
Two  other  routes,  leading  east  and  north,  were  to  be  improved  with  either 
concrete  or  gravel.  Southwest  the  city  has  highway  outlets  through  Rock 
Island  and  north  and  w^est  through  Davenport.  Rock  Island  in  late  years 
has  co-operated  with  Moline  in  laying  out  and  improving  through  streets 
to  facilitate  exchange  of  motor  vehicle  traftic,  and  further  plans  in  this  direc- 
tion are  being  considered.  Interests  of  all  the  adjoining  cities  in  this 
respect  are  looked  after  practically  as  well  as  if  they  were  under  a  single 
municipal   government. 

Moline  already  has  made  material  advances  as  a  retail  center,  having 
three  large  department  stores  and  many  other  prosperous  concerns  dealing 


306  R  L)  L    K       IS   L  AND       A    R   S    I-.   X   A   L 

in  the  various  lines  of  gmxls.  Removal  i>f  the  business  district  across  the 
railroad  tracks  greatly  aided  its  business  revival.  The  city's  commercial 
interests  are  looked  after  by  several  live  organizations  of  business  men. 
Completion  of  the  road  building  program  is  expected  to  bring  great  benefits 
to  retailers. 

In  banking  resources  the  Pk»\v  City  is  keeping  pace  with  its  general 
growth.  It  has  six  banks,  all  in  sound  condition  and  with  combined  resources 
at  the  close  of  1922  oi  $18,774,497.  There  are  several  imposing  bank  build- 
ings, the  home  of  the  Moline  Trust  &  Savings  bank,  completed  in  1922.  be- 
ing one  of  the  city's  sky-scrapers.  Steady  grcnvth  in  all  departments  has 
characterized  the  city's  banking  history.  The  following  totals  for  all  banks, 
taken  from  official  statements  made  at  three  different  times  in  the  last  decade, 
bear  out  this  assertion : 

Capital  rrofiis    ami  I^oans  and  Total 

Stock  Surplus  Investments  Deposits  Uestiurces 

Feb.    :$,    1913—          $  97.5.000  ^^S.fii'i.W  ?  n  OSO.141.97  ?;10.13.''..7,32.6.t  |;il,7;W..>'i6.S9 

.Mar.  4.  1919 1.07.^.000  (-,11.4.51.82  14..5t)7. 174.79  1.5.(>72  247.12  17..521..54.5.2t» 

Dee.    29.    1922—           l.:«)0.()00  l«tl. 4.50.19  1«,2S2.S03.15  15.782.710.79  1S.774.497..S1 

Nothing  can  better  show  the  growth  of  Moline  than  the  steady  increase 
of  its  postal  receipts  during  the  last  30  years,  which  amounted  to  over  1.000 
per  cent.  The  following  figures  show  the  advance  made  in  approximately 
5-year  periods  since  1891  : 

1891  I  24.4.^•{.28 

1895  27..312..54 

1900  4:{.:i.s5.)»; 

1905  (V5.4S0.8.'} 

1910  12fi.3.50.4;i 

1916  1S2.749.24 

1920  272.546.75 

Moline  is  an  own-your-own-home  city.  At  the  last  census  there  were 
6,535  homes,  and  of  these  approximately  5.000  were  occupied  by  their  owners. 
This  is  a  most  exceptional  showing.  A  larger  i)ercentage  of  the  industrial 
workers  own  their  own  homes  than  in  any  other  city  in  the  country,  it  is 
said.  The  average  value  of  these  homes  is  high  and  they  are  well  kept. 
The  rolling  character  of  the  residence  district  gives  scope  for  effective 
landscaping,  and  the  opportunity  has  not  been  neglected.  A  score  of  costly 
residences  established  by  founders  of  the  city's  large  industries  and  their 
families  crown  the  bluffs  overlooking  the  Mississippi  and  Rock  rivers  and 
add  materially  to  the  natural  beauty  of  the  sky-line,  viewed  from  either  the 
north  or  the  south.  Growth  of  the  residential  section  is  mostly  toward  the 
south.  More  than  a  million  dollars  is  spent  normally  each  year  on  new  homes. 
In  1922.  which  was  below  the  average.  68  new  residences  were  erected.  The 
total  expenditure,  based  on  cost  estimates  given  when  building  permits  were 
issued,  was  $733A73.  These  estimates  did  not  include  plumbing,  wiring, 
improvement  of  grounds,  and  other  items,  so  that  the  sum  actually  spent  was 
at  least  $1,000,000. 

Population  classification  statistics  of  the  1920  census  gave  Moline  23.002 
native  white  residents.  7.391  foreign  born  and  338  colored.     The  number  of 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  307 

dwellings  was  6,535  and  families  7,564.  Sweden  was  the  birthplace  of  3,640 
of  the  foreign  born  and  Belgium  of  1,615.  From  the  earliest  days  the 
Swedish  element  has  been  prominent  in  the  city,  and  this  fact  has  been  one 
of  the  most  potent  in  connection  with  the  industrial  development  of  the 
community.  The  industry,  thrift,  sobriety  and  spirit  of  co-operation  and 
high  quality  of  citizenship  of  this  class  has  profoundly  affected  the  Plow 
City's  destiny. 

Li  East  Moline,  in  1920,  there  were  5,857  native  white,  2,423  foreign  born 
white,  409  negroes;  1,287  dwellings  and  1,357  families.  The  Silvis  classifica- 
tion showed  1,898  native  born  whites,  636  foreign  born,  7  negroes,  517  dwell- 
ings, 605  families. 

Moline  has  13,000  registered  voters  and  East  Moline  3,000. 

Organizations  for  business,  fraternal,  social,  educational,  recreational, 
patriotic  and  welfare  purposes  are  numerous  in  Moline,  East  Moline  and 
Silvis.  The  Moline  and  East  Moline  Chambers  of  Commerce  have  a  large 
membership  and  are  wide-awake.  The  Moline  Woman's  club  is  one  of  the 
strongest  in  the  state.  The  city  is  headquarters  of  the  Tri-City  Manufac- 
turers' association.  Masons,  Odd  Fellows,  Elks  and  Eagles  are  well  estab- 
lished. There  are  many  Swedish  organizations  and  a  number  formed  by 
Belgian-Americans.  There  is  an  Industrial  hall,  the  home  of  the  various 
labor  organizations,  and  owned  by  the  federated  unions.  Swedish  Olive 
lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  has  its  own  building,  as  have  the  Eagles,  who  also 
maintain  a  club  house  on  Rock  river  which  cost  $50,000.  The  Elks  also  have 
a  club  house.  The  Moline  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  with  a  membership  of  600,  has  a  fine 
home  and  does  a  splendid  work.  The  East  Moline  Y.  M.  C.  A.  also  is  well 
housed.  Moline  has  a  welfare  association  which  extends  its  activities  to 
East  Moline  in  emergencies.  The  Red  Cross  Visiting  Nurses'  association 
serves  all  three  of  the  cities,  ministering  to  the  sick  and  holding  clinics  for 
the  promotion  of  modern  methods  of  handling  disease  and  caring  for  infants. 
Among  cities  of  25,000  to  50,000  population  Moline  ranks  as  one  of  the  three 
lowest  in  the  United  States  in  infant  mortality,  with  a  rate  of  35  per  1,000. 

There  is  a  Federation  of  Girls'  Clubs  with  22  affiliating  organizations, 
a  participating  membership  of  600  and  a  sustaining  and  associate  membership 
of  400. 

All  three  cities  are  liberal  patrons  of  musical  and  dramatic  entertain- 
ments and  of  the  cinema.  There  are  many  fine  theatres,  the  largest  being  the 
LeClaire,  costing  $300,000  and  seating  2,000  people.  Sports  flourish,  es- 
pecially professional  baseball,  football,  wrestling,  boxing  and  bowling. 
Moline  is  a  member  of  the  Three-Eye  Baseball  league. 

Public  buildings  in  Moline  include  an  imposing  modern  city  hall,  post- 
office,  library  and  city  hospital.  In  Riverside  cemetery  there  is  a  mausoleum, 
built  at  a  cost  of  $100,000,  containing  850  crypts,  and  the  only  building  of  the 
kind    in   the   Tri-City   community. 


308  R  O  C    K       IS   L  A  N  D       A   R  S   i:  N  A  L 

Perhaps  the  most  imposing  group  of  buildings  in  the  vicinity  is  that 
of  the  Western  Illinois  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  better  known  as  the  Water- 
town  hospital,  located  on  a  point  of  the  bluff  overlooking  the  Mississippi  val- 
ley at  the  northeast  corner  of  East  Moline.  Here,  visible  for  miles  down  the 
valley,  are  21  structures,  mostly  of  stone  and  of  striking  architectural  design. 
In  additictn  to  the  grounds  about  the  buildings,  which  are  well  wooded  and 
beautifully  parked,  there  is  a  farm  cultivated  mainly  by  inmates,  and  one  of 
the  show  places  of  the  locality.  All  told  there  are  590  acres  of  land  in  the 
tract  and  the  valuation  of  the  hospital  i)roperty  is  $1,340,750.  The  number 
of  patients  cared  for  is  about  1.700  and  there  are  320  employes. 

East  Moline  was  built  i)rimarily  to  take  care  of  the  needs  of  Moline 
industries,  which  a  score  of  years  ago  found  themselves  without  sufficient 
room  for  expansion.  Incorporation  as  a  village  took  place  in  1903.  Its 
growth  was  surprising.  Pour  years  later  it  became  a  city.  It  now  has  all  the 
improvements  and  advantages  of  the  average  city  of  two  or  three  times  its 
age. 

There  are  2,396  acres,  or  i.7  square  miles,  in  East  Moline.  The  area 
platted  is  1.125  acres.  The  normal  building  rate  is  in  keeping  with  the  rapid 
increase  of  its  population  and  industrial  importance,  though  many  of  its  shop 
workers  are  still  drawn  from  Moline.  Its  residence  district  is  attractive, 
especially  that  on  the  bluff,  and  there  are  many  fine  homes. 

The  city  has  40  miles  of  streets.  13  miles  of  pavement,  15  miles  of  water 
mains.  17  miles  of  sanitary  sewers.  3  miles  of  storm  sewers.  18  miles  of 
alleys  and  31  miles  of  concrete  sidewalks. 

Citv  property  includes  waterworks  pumping  plant,  valued  at  $20,000. 
city  hall,  $40,000,  and  barns.  $4,000.  Pumping  capacity  of  the  water  plant, 
which  draws  its  supply  from  wells,  is  750.000  gallons  daily  and  the  capacity 
(jf  the  standpipes,  which  are  located  on  the  bluff  and  furnish  pressure,  is 
600.000  gallons.  Average  fire  loss  for  the  last  decade  has  been  less  than 
$20,000.  Plans  are  in  hand  for  an  extension  of  the  fire  department  and  for 
the  building  of  a  new  library. 

There  are  exceptionally  fine  schools  in  East  Moline.  with  five  grade 
buildings  and  a  township  high  school.  Enrollment  in  the  grade  schools  in 
1922  was  1.400  and  in  the  high  school  282.  The  high  school  maintains  a 
uniformed  band  and  orchestra.  X'alue  of  school  property  is  $229,590  and 
the  bonded  school  indebtedness  $97,500. 

There  are  three  growing  banks  in  East  Moline  with  total  resources  of 
$3,000,000  and  total  dejx.sits  of  $2,250,000  at  the  close  of  1922. 

Receipts  of  the  l^ast  Moline  i)ostottice  in  1922  were  $28,230.44.  In  1912 
they  were  $10,000  and  in  1917  $17,920,  having  nearly  doubled  in  each  five-year 
period. 


ROCK       ISLAND       ARSENAL  309 

Three  parks,  having  a  total  acreage  of  32,  provide  recreational  centers. 
Each  park  has  a  playground,  conducted  by  the  Community  Service  Council. 
A  country  club  is  in  course  of  construction  and  a  nine-hoTe  golf  course  is 
being  laid  out  on  a  beautiful  110-acre  tract,  situated  just  south  of  the  business 
district.  The  city  is  within  10  minutes  by  trolley  of  Campbell's  island,  which 
is  much  patronized  by  campers  and  week-end  recreation  parties  during  the 
summer  months.     Many  residents  also  have  summer  homes  on  Rock  river. 

Silvis  was  founded  in  1906  as  a  place  of  residence  for  workers  in  the 
repair  shops  of  the  Rock  Island  road.  It  was  named  after  C.  L.  Silvis,  wdn) 
took  a  leading  part  in  its  inception.  It  was  incorporated  as  a  city  in  1920. 
In  1910  the  population  was  1,163  and  in  1920  more  than  double  that  number. 
Resides  the  railroad  shops,  Silvis  has  the  general  store  of  the  entire  Rock 
Island  railroad  system  and  receiving  yards  which  are  exceeded  in  size  at  but 
few  points.  Normally  about  two  thousand  men  are  employed  in  shops, 
storehouse  and  yards.  Many  of  these  reside  in  the  adjoining  cities,  being 
transported  to  and  from  work  by  special  shop  train. 

Silvis  has  three  miles  of  paved  streets,  connecting  with  which  is  the 
first  concrete  highway  to  be  built  eastward  from  the  Tri-City  community. 
Its  water  supply  is  taken  from  artesian  wells.  Sewer  and)  water  mains  cover 
the  city.  The  sewer  outlet  is  in  Rock  ri\er.  The  city  has  two  municipal 
parks  and  an  automobile  tourists'  camp.    It  has  just  erected  a  $45,000  city  hall. 


From    the    I'rcss   of 

DUIKKILL  PKINTINti  COMPANY 

Rock   Island,  111. 


INDEX 


CHAPTERS 


Page 

Foreword  7 

Location  and  Advantages 1  2 

Record  During  the  World  War 14 

Main  Items  of  Production 19 

Vast   Program   of   Construction 24 

Expansion  of  Shop  Personnel 45 

Military  Personnel 49 

Civilian  and   Military  Guard 52 

Post- War  Activities 55 

Savanna   Proving  Ground 59 

War  with  Spain 6  1 

Fort     Armstrong 67 

Squatters'    Rights 7  1 

Building    the    Original    Arsenal.. 76 

What  the  Arsenal  has  Cost,  and  Its  Present  Valuation 80 

Military    Prison    in   Civil    War 85 

The  Arsenal's  Water  Pow^er 87 

Improvement  of  the  Rock  Island  Rapids  93 

Bridging    the    Mississippi 97 

Passenger    Transport 1  03 

The   Military   Museum 105 

The  Old  Davenport  House 1  07 

Arsenal    Commandants 1  09 

Other    Arsenals... 1  1  6 

Resources  of  the   Tri-Cities 1  20 

City   of   Rock   Island 2  74 

City    of    Davenport 286 

Moline,   East  Moline  and  Silvis 299 


ii  I  X  D  1-:  X 

List  of  Illustrations 

rage 

Rock  Island  Arsenal,   view  from  the  air    (Frontispiece) 2 

Maj.  Gen.  C.  C.  Williams,  chief  of  ordnance 6 

Main    entrance    at   west    end    of    island 9 

Pouring  molten   trinitrotoluol   into  shells 14 

Loaded  shells  ready  to  be  issued 15 

Storehouse  W-I   and   group   of  original   shops 18 

Group  of  interior  views  of  storehouses 20 

Walnut   for   gunstocks,    in   storage 22 

Commandant's   headquarters 23 

Two  views  of  Shop  M 25 

Craneway  in  field  and  siege  building 27 

Shop   R   and    new   steam-heating   plant 29 

Two  views  of  Shop  L 31 

Artillery   vehicle   storehouses 33 

Temporary  office  building  No.  2 35 

Storehouse  VI 41 

Nitrate  and   ammunition  storehouses 42 

Arsenal  employes  participating  in  Liberty  day  celebration 44 

Women  w^orkers  in  cloth  department 46 

Arsenal   workers'    band 47 

Interior  of  machine  shop 48 

Col.    Leroy   T.    Hillman 50 

Troops  in  line  at  presentation  of  faithful  service  badges 5  I 

Rock  Island  Arsenal  military  drill  corps 52 

Rock  Island  Arsenal  woman's  military  drill  corps 52 

Rock  Island  Arsenal  fire-fighting  force 53 

Chemical   fire   truck 54 

Mark  VIII   tank 5  7 

Col.   Jordan  presenting  faithful  service  badges 58 

Tractors  and  tanks  in  field  at  Savanna  proving  ground 59 

Quarters  of  commanding  officer  at  Savanna 60 

Group    of   shop    interiors 62 

Site  of  old  Fort  Armstrong 64 

Rock   Island   Arsenal    Golf   Club 65 

Group    of   veteran    Arsenal    employes 66 

Fort  Armstrong,   as  originally  built 68 

Reproduction    of   first   block   house 70 

Grave  of  Gen.    Rodman 72 

Residence    of   Arsenal    commandant 73 

Beauty  spots   on   island 74 

Flag  pole  at  commanding  officer's  headquarters 75 

View  of  first  storehouse  and  original  shops 77 

Filtration    plant 80 


INDEX  iii 

List  of  Illustrations      Continued 


Page 

Arsenal    workers'    cafeteria 81 

Entrance  to  Conferedate  cemetery 86 

Power  dam,  viewed  from  below 88 

Interior  of  power  house 90 

Typical  natural  forest  tree  on  island  river  front      92 

Original  Rock  Island  bridge 98 

Second    Rock    Island    bridge 99 

Present   Rock    Island    bridge 1  00 

Remains  of  island   pier  of   first  bridge 102 

Fort    Armstrong    avenue 1  04 

Arsenal    museum 1  06 

Home    of    Col.    Davenport 1  07 

Looking  toward  Davenport  from  west  end  of  island 108 

Rock    Island    Arsenal    commandants    during    World    War    period     (Col. 
George  W.   Burr,  Col.   Leroy  T.   Hillman,   Col.   Harry  B.   Jordan   and 

Col.   D.   M.   King) 1  10 

Arsenal  commandants  prior  to  World  War   (Col.  F.  E.  Hobbs,  Col.  S.  E. 
Blunt,  Col.  A.  R.  Buffington,  Col.  J.  M.  Whittemore,  Col.  T.  G.  Baylor, 

Gen.  D.  W.  Flagler,  Gen.  T.  J.  Rodman,  Maj.  C.  P.  Kingsbury) 1  12 

Col.   John  T.   Thompson 1  15 

Regulation  uniform   for  women  workers 117 

City  of  Rock   Island,    seen   from  Arsenal   clock   tower 121 

Looking  south  from  island  end  of  Moline  bridge 123 

Looking  up  the  river  from  head  of  island 124 


Maps 

Rock  Island  Arsenal  before  World  War 10 

Rock  Island  Arsenal  after  World  War 1  1 

Rock  Island,    mapped   in    1870 85 

Rock   Island    rapids 94 

Tri-City   community   surrounding   Arsenal 2  72-2  73 


iv  1  N  D  !•:  X 

Coniiiicrcial  Representation 

Augustana     College I  82 

Augustana  Book   Concern 223 

Bechtel.   Geo.   M.    &   Co 234 

Beder  Wood's  Sons  Company 226 

Bettendorf  Company 1  77 

Bettendorf    Oxygen-Hydrogen    Company 2  1  2 

Boies,   M.   V.   Company 25  1 

Borg  &  Beck.  Company 1  93 

Builders  Sand   &   Gravel  Company 190 

Burlington  Railroad 1  38 

Catholic   Messenger 2  7  1 

Central  Trust  &  Savings  Bank 240 

Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.   Paul  Railroad 143 

Como    Hotel 269 

Crane    Co 261 

Daily  Times 200 

Davenport  Clearing  House  Association 263 

Davenport  Democrat 20  1 

Davenport   Water   Company 192 

Deere   &  Co 159 

Don  Sales  Company 269 

Eckman  Studio 270 

Faerber  Agency 249 

Federal    System    of   Bakeries 1  74 

Federal  Surety  Company 232 

First  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  of  Rock  Island 242 

French    &    Hecht 243 

Hand,   John    P.    Company 248 

Horst,    Henry   W.    Company 1  25 

Iowa  Steam  Laundry  Company 250 

Knox  Mortuary 2  1  3 

Linograph   Company 202 

Maehr   Company 253 

McCarthy  Improvement  Company 1  85 

McCabe,    L.   S 230 

Mercy    Hospital 271 

Miller    Hotel    Company 268 

Modern  Woodmen  of  America 257 

Moline    Dispatch 197 


INDEX  V 

Commercial  Representation  —  Continued 

Page 

Moline  Paint  Company 252 

Moline    Consumers    Company 254 

National  Construction  Company 204 

Peoples  National  Bank  and  American  Trust   &   Savings  Bank 236 

Phelps  Light   &   Power  Company ■. 245 

Photo   Art   Engraving   Company 266 

Purity  Oats  Company 262 

Putnam,  W.  C.  Estate 265 

Robinsons,  Pioneer  Bankers  and  City  Builders 228 

Rock  Island  Argus 1  98 

Rock  Island  Bridge  &  Iron  Company 203 

Rock  Island  Fuel  Company 224 

Rock  Island   Mfg.   Company 21  7 

Rock    Island    Plow    Company 1  5  1 

Rock   Island    Railroad 1  3  1 

Rock  Island  Register  Company 2  1  6 

Rock  Island  Sand   &  Gravel  Company 270 

Rock  Island  Sash  &  Door  Works 156 

Rock   Island   Savings   Bank 2  39 

Rock   Island   Southern 256 

Rock  Island  Telephone  System 1  88 

Rock  Island  Transfer  &  Storage  Company 222 

Rock   Island   Wood    Works 225 

R&V   Motor   Company 169 

Seaman  Paper  Company 267 

Sheldon,   Geo.  Company 206 

Snider,  Walsh  &  Hynes...  256 

St.  Ambrose  College.. 220 

St.  Katherine's  School 22  1 

Stapp,    L.    Company,    Florists 246 

State  Bank  of  Rock  Island 241 

Sturtevant-Baker  Company 2  1  0 

Tri-City  Brick  Company 208 

Tri-City  Railway   &   Light  Company 162 

V^ictor  Storage  Battery  Company 244 

Villa  de  Chantal 219 

Weyerhaeuser    &    Denkmann    Company 155 

Walsh  Construction  Company I  46 

White-Phillips   Company 235 

Walsh,    R.   J.    &    Co 238 


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